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Case Of Christian Rossite: Chief Justice In Western Australia

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The current legislation has caused issues for many Australians. This is illustrated in court in 2009, with then 49 year Christian Rossite. Christian Rossite was a quadriplegic after an automotive accident, and had asked his care provider if they would remove his PEG tube (feeding tube) from him, unsure if it was legal or not the care provider called on the Chief Justice in Western Australia, Wayne Martin who ruled in favour of Christian Rossite. Wayne Martin stated that Christian Rossite was ‘entitled to instruct his cares to remove a feeding tube from his stomach’ (2009, Martin), causing Christian Rossite to willingly starve to death. During this process Christian Rossite was reassured that the option to return to the PEG tube (feeding tube) was available, but chose to continue. Christian Rossite died from a chest infection soon after. His brother was quoted saying ‘Death I suspect comes as quite a relief for Christian’ (2009, Rossite), as Christian was also quoted saying ‘I have no fear of death- just pain. I only fear pain.’ (2009, Rossite). Christian Rossite died suffering, in pain from not only starving, but also a chest infection, this could have been prevented if there was sufficient legislation to allow Christian Rossite to die with peace. …show more content…

There are two articles to the proposed solution, first Active Euthanasia, which is defined as ‘The intentional putting to death of a person with an incurable or painful disease intended as an act of mercy’ (2015, Pijnenborg L), Active Euthanasia would only be carried out, if an number of conditions are ahead to. The second article in the proposed solution is Passive Euthanasia that is defined as ‘Passive euthanasia occurs when the patient dies because the medical professionals either do something necessary to keep the patient alive, or when they stop doing something that is keeping the patient alive.’ (2014,

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