SW News:

Archbishop Mark Coleridge of Brisbane in Australia has slammed the controversial Voluntary Assisted Dying law enacted by Queensland parliament, calling it a “defeat for life.” The state had legalized voluntary assisted dying on September 16 after it was passed with a majority of 61 votes. 
The new euthanasia law will allow critically ill people from the age of 18 and above who are expected to die within 12 months to access assisted dying. Queensland is the fifth state to legalize voluntary euthanasia. The law will come into effect from January 2023. 
Expressing his deep sadness, Archbishop Coleridge called the “victory of the government” a “real defeat for Queensland and a victory for death but a defeat for life. He added that now they are awaiting “the dark spectacle of unexpected consequences” of the law. Even though 55 amendments were proposed in the Queensland parliament, after days of debate, everything was rejected, passing the law in its original form. 
Doctors, medical practitioners and aged care providers of Queensland had raised concerns about VAD, as it forces aged care providers to allow euthanasia in the centre, against their conscientious objection. This was pointed out by former Australian Medical Association (AMA) federal president Steve Hambleton. He had called Queensland bill, "the loosest legislation in Australia with some significant medical holes in it." He said that the legislation overrides all the opinions of the aged care providers.“ 
Calling the legislation "deeply disappointing," Chair of Catholic Health Australia, John Watkins said that the law places them “in an invidious and extraordinary position." "Being forced to host VAD in our facilities means having our most deeply held beliefs around the dignity of human life trampled upon,” he added. 
The archbishop said they will continue accompanying "all kinds of people to death and beyond compassionately and peacefully…as we have for a very long time.”