Former PM slams illegality of voluntary euthanasia in Australia

Bob Hawke, one of Australia's longest serving Prime Ministers, has on Thursday come out in support of voluntary euthanasia, slamming the illegality of the process as "absurd".

Voluntary euthanasia is currently banned in Australia, but Bob Hawke, 86, has thrown support behind the movement, saying he has an "arrangement" with his wife and would prefer to be let go instead of being left to "lose his marbles".

Talking to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on Thursday, Hawke said it was against all "morality" that Australia doesn't support euthanasia, and urged lawmakers to "have the guts" to look at legalizing it.

"I think it is absurd that we should say that it is illegal that a person who is suffering terribly, and is in an irremediable condition, should be forced to continue to suffer," Hawke told the ABC on Thursday.

"It doesn't meet any requirements of morality or good sense and I can see no logical or moral basis for such an absurd position.

"It's just an unarguable case."

Hawke, one of the most respected elder statesmen of Australian politics, added it would be easy for people to give their consent before it is too late.

"Something I could not stand would be to lose my marbles. If that were in fact to happen, then something is done about it," Hawke said.

"I don't expect it to be a pillow pressed exuberantly over my nose, but I'm sure that she could organize something with a family doctor." Endit