An Australian prolife group is lobbying New Zealand politicians, urging them to vote against David Seymour's euthanasia bill.
The End of Life Choice Bill will come before Parliament for a conscience vote tonight after two member's bills were removed to allow time to discuss the euthanasia Bill.
The Bill argues some people are currently suffering unbearably at the end of their lives. It allows adults suffering from a terminal or irremediable illness to ask for a medically assisted death.
The Australian lobby group sent an email telling supporters to "urgently" email thousands of short messages to New Zealand MPs. It says "they need the volume of opposition [supporters] displayed to oppose the Victorian bill," a reference to a euthanasia bill passed in the Australian state.
The email warns the New Zealand Bill could result in "international suicide tourism."
People seeking euthanasia will have to be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents, but Right to Life Australia warns "NZ citizens or perm residents living around the world could fly over and have euthanasia in NZ!"
The email quotes Renee Joubert of Euthanasia Free NZ.
"It is CRUCIAL that MPs receive thousands of short messages today, urging them to vote against the Bill. Short is key. Maybe a sentence or two. They won't read long ones today," it says.
After a last-minute back-room deal, New Zealand First decided to support ACT's Bill. In return, ACT will support NZ First in its endeavour to take the issue to a binding referendum.
Newshub.
