Justice Committee to hear from people across the country on End of Life Choice Bill
The Justice Committee has heard from many national organisations on the End of Life Choice Bill and is now ready to hear
from everyone who asked to be heard on the bill. Due to the unprecedented interest in this important and complex matter,
Justice subcommittees will travel to more than a dozen centres across New Zealand.
“The committee has received over 35,000 submissions and public interest is naturally high in this bill. I am heartened
that so many people have taken the time to write and express their view. Around ten percent of submitters indicated that
they also want to talk to us. It is for these reasons we have decided to travel to different parts of New Zealand to
hear from people,” says Committee Chairperson Raymond Huo.
“The committee will form subcommittees to enable it to travel the country and hear from as many people as possible in
person, over the coming weeks.”
“The proposed amendments this bill seeks to make to the Crimes Act to allow euthanasia and assisted suicide are such
fundamental changes to our law that a record number of New Zealanders have been motivated to write to Parliament and
asked to be heard. We are committed to respectfully hearing all submitters and in an effort to be as transparent,
inclusive, and accessible as possible we invite the public to join us, as well as all MPs, to ensure they are aware of
the issues before they exercise their conscience vote early next year,” says Committee Deputy Chairperson, Hon Maggie
Barry.
Committee staff are publishing submissions, beginning with those from organisations and then individuals. These will
appear on the Justice Committee’s pageas they are processed.
Committee staff will be in touch with individuals and organisations who made submissions and asked to be heard, to
assist them with times and venues. Hearings will be advertised on the Parliament website and communicated to the public via social media.
Hearings are open to the public and media and, where possible, livestreamed to the committee’s Facebook page.
ENDS