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Leglislators, Social Policy and Action: The Case of ‘Dying with Dignity’
Author(s) -
Stewart Donald E.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
australian journal of social issues
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.417
H-Index - 30
eISSN - 1839-4655
pISSN - 0157-6321
DOI - 10.1002/j.1839-4655.1992.tb00910.x
Subject(s) - dignity , legislation , project commissioning , publishing , action (physics) , function (biology) , law , palliative care , public policy , death with dignity , political science , public administration , social care , sociology , public relations , nursing , medicine , physics , quantum mechanics , evolutionary biology , biology
This paper describes a process of policy formation through the parliamentary committee system. The nature of a Victorian investigatory committee and its function as a medium for public consultation regarding complex social and ethical issues is explored. The Public Inquiry into ‘Options for Dying with Dignity’ is discussed as a case study. The Inquiry led to benchmark Australian legislation through the Medical Treatment Act 1988, as well as promoting significant changes in terminal palliative care.