Tasmania's euthanasia bill narrowly defeated

Tasmania nearly got the bill passed, if not for a couple of votes. From the Dying With Dignity email:

Last Thursday, the 17th October, The Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2013 was defeated in the Tasmanian House of Assembly, effectively 13 votes to 12. However, the formal vote will be reported as 13-11, because the Speaker, Michael Polley, came into the House at the very last minute in order to vote against the Bill and the Deputy Speaker, Tim Morris, had to stay in the Chair. After the vote, Tim Morris stood and stated he was in favour of the Bill. 

The bill was supported by seven of the ten Labor members and all five of the Greens' MPs. Three Labor MPs voted against the bill, including Mr Polley. All of the ten Liberal MPS voted against it, despite having been granted a conscience vote. 

The bill was a private one, co-sponsored by Labor Premier Lara Giddings and Greens leader Nick McKim, who has committed to re-tabling it in the next parliament if he is re-elected.

This is encouraging news. It shows at least some politicians in todays Australia are actually listening to what the people want. I expect it to be only a matter of time (dunno how much) before people in Australia will have a choice to die with dignity and not a long drawn out painful and humiliating death.