Voluntary Euthanasia Trial (Referendum) Bill 2003

Explanatory note

This explanatory note relates to this Bill as introduced into Parliament.

Overview of Bill

The object of this Bill is to require the holding of a referendum to determine whether the people of New South Wales approve in principle of a legally and medically supervised trial of voluntary euthanasia for a period of 18 months.

Outline of provisions

Clause 1 sets out the name (also called the short title) of the proposed Act.

Clause 2 provides for the commencement of the proposed Act on the date of assent.

Clause 3 requires a referendum to be held on the question of a legally and medically supervised trial of voluntary euthanasia for a period of 18 months.

Clause 4 sets out the question to be asked in the referendum.

Clause 5 requires the vote for the referendum to be taken in conjunction with the next ordinary elections of local government councillors, and that the voters at the referendum are to be the persons entitled to vote at those elections.

Clause 6 requires the referendum to be held in accordance with the Constitution Further Amendment (Referendum) Act 1930. Regulations may be made to adapt that legislation for the purposes of holding the referendum.

Clause 7 requires the Electoral Commissioner to publish a case for and against the referendum proposal (approved by certain members of Parliament) in 2 or more newspapers circulating in New South Wales.

Clause 8 provides a general regulation-making power.

Note: If this Bill is not modified, these Explanatory Notes would reflect the Bill as passed in the House. If the Bill has been amended by Committee, these Explanatory Notes may not necessarily reflect the Bill as passed.

 

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