Politics

Inquiry to be held into voluntary euthanasia

17:30 pm on 24 June 2015

Parliament's Health Select Committee has agreed to hold an inquiry into whether or not the law should be changed to allow voluntary euthanasia.

It will be a cross-party inquiry, with the specific details yet to be confirmed.

Wellington woman Lecretia Seales went to the High Court in May to argue her right to die on her own terms. Photo: FACEBOOK

The debate about a possible law change was reignited by the case of Wellington woman Lecretia Seales.

She died earlier this month, only hours after learning her High Court fight had failed.

Ms Seales had sought clarification on whether it would be an offence under the Crimes Act for her doctor to help her die, and whether a ban on assisted dying contravened her human rights.

Justice Collins found the issues were outside the constitutional role of judges and could only be addressed by Parliament.