Latest news with #Leadbeater
Sydney Morning Herald
4 days ago
- Science
- Sydney Morning Herald
There were no known sightings of this critically endangered animal outside Victoria. Now it's in NSW
A critically endangered Leadbeater's possum – previously thought to be extinct in NSW – has been discovered in Kosciuszko National Park, to the delight of ecologists. The discovery of the sole possum near the Yarrangobilly Caves indicates the presence of a colony of the tiny creatures, which weigh just 125 grams. The historic find was made last Monday during a review by threatened-species officers from the NSW environment department of almost 1 million images from wildlife cameras as they surveyed for the critically endangered smoky mouse. The cameras had been in the field for a year and the possum photos were taken last October. Dr Fred Ford, the senior threatened-species officer who made the discovery, said: 'It was amazing to see that distinctive bushy tail waving among the rows of images on the screen – it jumped right out at me.' The find came after a ground and aerial culling program removed 9036 wild horses from Kosciuszko National Park between November 2021 and April 30 this year. It is the first NSW sighting recorded since European settlement. Leadbeater's possums, which are critically endangered, were thought in the 1940s and 1950s to be extinct in Victoria before a small population was discovered in mountain ash forest near Marysville in 1961. Ecologist Professor David Lindenmayer from the Australian National University, who has spent decades studying the animals, said they favoured habitat with tall trees for nesting and wattle understorey for food sources. 'How exciting it is to live in a country where new discoveries are being made,' Lindemayer said. 'This discovery highlights the importance of large national parks for biodiversity.'
The Age
4 days ago
- Science
- The Age
There were no known sightings of this critically endangered animal outside Victoria. Now it's in NSW
A critically endangered Leadbeater's possum – previously thought to be extinct in NSW – has been discovered in Kosciuszko National Park, to the delight of ecologists. The discovery of the sole possum near the Yarrangobilly Caves indicates the presence of a colony of the tiny creatures, which weigh just 125 grams. The historic find was made last Monday during a review by threatened-species officers from the NSW environment department of almost 1 million images from wildlife cameras as they surveyed for the critically endangered smoky mouse. The cameras had been in the field for a year and the possum photos were taken last October. Dr Fred Ford, the senior threatened-species officer who made the discovery, said: 'It was amazing to see that distinctive bushy tail waving among the rows of images on the screen – it jumped right out at me.' The find came after a ground and aerial culling program removed 9036 wild horses from Kosciuszko National Park between November 2021 and April 30 this year. It is the first NSW sighting recorded since European settlement. Leadbeater's possums, which are critically endangered, were thought in the 1940s and 1950s to be extinct in Victoria before a small population was discovered in mountain ash forest near Marysville in 1961. Ecologist Professor David Lindenmayer from the Australian National University, who has spent decades studying the animals, said they favoured habitat with tall trees for nesting and wattle understorey for food sources. 'How exciting it is to live in a country where new discoveries are being made,' Lindemayer said. 'This discovery highlights the importance of large national parks for biodiversity.'
Epoch Times
28-05-2025
- Health
- Epoch Times
Assisted Suicide Bill Returns to Commons as MPs Remain Divided
Kim Leadbeater's assisted suicide bill is unsafe and does not adequately protect the vulnerable, critics of the proposals said during a debate in the House of Commons. On Friday, the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which would legalise medical-assisted suicide for terminally-ill adults with less than six months to live, returned to Parliament for the Report Stage, where MPs began to debate and vote on One amendment, which was supported by MPs, would ensure that no member of staff, such as pharmacists and doctors, would be legally obliged to take part in the assisted suicide process. Another would have prevented employees from providing assisted suicide while working for an employer who had opted out of the process. However, this was rejected by MPs, by 243 to 279. Private Members' Bills are only ever debated on Fridays for a maximum of five hours. Given the number of amendments and level of engagement from MPs on the issue, the House was forced to pass a closing motion, ending the debate and scheduling it to continue next month. Bill Is 'Fundamentally Flawed' Opening the debate on Friday morning, Leadbeater said: 'Put simply, if we do not vote to change the law, we are essentially saying that the status quo is acceptable. 'Over recent months, I have heard hundreds of stories from people who have lost loved ones in deeply difficult and traumatic circumstances, which show that that is clearly not the case. Related Stories 3/27/2025 3/13/2025 'Too many have seen their terminally-ill loved ones take their own lives out of desperation, or make the traumatic, lonely and costly trip to Switzerland, and then face a police investigation while dealing with their grief and loss.' It is the first time that the bill has returned to the Commons since it passed Second Reading in a vote in November, with a majority of 55. MPs remain divided on whether there should be a change in the law, and their positions do not follow party line, with many MPs from across the political spectrum sharing similar opinions. Those opposed to the bill included Labour's Naz Shah, who sat on the committee reviewing expert evidence and considering amendments. She said that the bill was 'fundamentally flawed' and in its current form could mean patients could bring themselves within eligibility for assisted suicide by refusing to eat or drink, including those with anorexia. Labour's Rachael Maskell cited recent concerns raised by the Royal College of GPs and called the proposals 'unsafe, which is why the professional bodies are speaking out against this bill.' Her comments follow the Royal College of Physicians Others warned that terminally ill people might feel pressured or believe doctors are suggesting assisted suicide, even if the doctors are simply explaining all available options. Terminally ill people, affected families, and campaigners for a change in the law on assisted suicide gather outside the Palace of Westminster ahead of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill's report stage in London, on May 16, 2025. Lucy North/PA Wire Conservative MP Dr. Caroline Johnson said, 'If a doctor tells somebody, or gives any information, about assisted dying, it is quite reasonable for that person to think that either the doctor is suggesting that they should take part in this process, or even they're hinting their death is going to be a dreadful one and trying to be kind to them.' Neurodegenerative Illnesses Among those expressing support for the bill was Liberal Democrat Liz Jarvis, who paid tribute to Leadbeater's work on the proposals, saying, 'As other members have said, the decision before us is fundamentally about whether we believe in an individual's right to have choice at the end of their life.' Jarvis backs an amendment which would extend the minimum life expectancy for eligibility from six months to 12 months for those with neurodegenerative illnesses. She said: 'Palliative care can provide incredible support and I'm very glad that this debate has reopened the national conversation about issues of funding for palliative care, however, as I know from my personal experience with my mum who died last March after a seven-year struggle with Alzheimer's, palliative care can sometimes only go so far. 'Amendment four recognises that those with neurodegenerative illnesses deserve the same compassion, control, and dignity at the end of their lives as others do, and by extending the timeframe to 12 months they will be given more control over their ultimate decision.' The Report Stage will continue on June 13, when MPs will hear further amendments for the bill. Once the Report Stage is complete, the bill will face its Third Reading, when MPs will vote for or against the bill as a whole. If passed in the Commons at Third Reading, the bill will go to the House of Lords for scrutiny before gaining Royal Assent and becoming law. What would follow is an implementation period of a maximum of four years, meaning it might not be until 2029 that assisted suicide will be offered. PA Media contributed to this report.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
We need a Royal Commission on assisted dying
Reasonable people may disagree on the principle of assisted dying. Strong moral arguments have been made for and against, weighing individual sovereignty against the dignity of human life. What is not in dispute is that the process through which Kim Leadbeater MP and her allies have sought to change the law has been utterly shambolic. The Bill presented to Parliament is not fit for purpose, and the debate around it has been unnecessarily rushed, attempting to ram through a highly controversial change without adequate scrutiny. The result is that the Bill that was presented at the Second Reading is quite distinct from that which has emerged from the Committee stage. MPs were promised that a High Court judge would oversee each application. When this proved impractical, their role was removed, with a replacement panel of social workers, psychiatrists and legal figures suggested. Ms Leadbeater has attempted to sell this as making her law 'even more robust'. Many will disagree. Moreover, both the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the Royal College of Physicians have publicly stated that the Bill is unfit for purpose, raising questions over its practical implementation. The row over Dame Esther Rantzen's suggestion that opposition among MPs is driven by 'undeclared personal religious beliefs' is merely one last indignity in a process filled with them. It would be better at this point to abandon this undercooked effort at reform, and to establish a Royal Commission to examine the matter properly. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Daily Mirror
16-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Date set for return of assisted dying votes after MP's bid takes step forward
Kim Leadbeater's bid to legalise assisted dying took a step forward on Friday as a key change was backed by MPs. After a five-hour debate, momentum still appeared behind the Labour MP in her attempt to allow terminally ill adults with six months left to apply to end their lives. The Commons supported Ms Leadbeater's amendment to allow health workers to opt out of helping with assisted dying. A change put forward by an opponent to the Bill was defeated. MPs will debate the law once again on June 13 with over 100 amendments tabled. There will then be a crunch vote on the highly sensitive issue. The debate on Friday was the first time the proposed legislation had returned to the Commons since a historic vote in November saw a majority of MPs support the principle of assisted dying. Bringing her Bill back to Parliament, Ms Leadbeater said assisted dying must be legalised to avoid terminally ill people acting out of desperation or making "traumatic" trips to Dignitas, in Switzerland. The Labour MP for Spen Valley said: "Put simply, if we do not vote to change the law, we are essentially saying that the status quo is acceptable. Over recent months, I have heard hundreds of stories from people who have lost loved ones in deeply difficult and traumatic circumstances, which show that that is clearly not the case. "Too many have seen their terminally-ill loved ones take their own lives out of desperation, or make the traumatic, lonely and costly trip to Switzerland, and then face a police investigation while dealing with their grief and loss." On Friday grieving families watched the debate from the public gallery of the House of Commons as the Bill was debated in the chamber. Louise Shackleton, who is being investigated by police for taking her husband Anthony, 59, to Diginitas, to die in December, was among them. She has previously said Anthony, who was suffering from Motor Neurone Disease, had a "beautiful death". Speaking to The Mirror, she praised Labour MP Ms Leadbeater. Louise, 58, said: "I think Kim's speech was very measured, very articulate, and she got the point of what people with a terminal illness want from an assisted death.I think she was absolutely spot-on." But she said MPs repeatedly bringing up problems with palliative care "simply have no understanding of what someone who wants an assisted death actually wants". She added: "They seem to be under the impression that everyone that's terminally ill wants to die. They're not, they want to live. Our motor neurone community has the strongest, most amazing people, and all of them want to live. However what they don't want, when their time comes, they do not want to suffer an appalling, grotesque death." The at-times emotional and impassioned debate saw supporters of changing the law argue the Bill has returned with strengthened safeguards after being amended in committee earlier this year. Ms Leadbeater's amendment will allow medics to excuse themselves from being involved in an assisted death. Doctors already had an opt-out but the new clause extends that to anyone, including pharmacists and social care workers. Tory MP Rebecca Paul, who sits on the bill's committee, saw her amendment defeated. It called for employers opposed to assisted dying to be allowed to prevent their workers from providing the service. Ms Paul, who is against a change in the law, argued assisted dying 'will harm far more people than it will help and those people that will be harmed are the most vulnerable in our communities'. "It really is life or death so please don't accept anything that isn't good enough,' she said. During the debate, multiple MPs raised concerns that patients could 'shop around' for different doctors to grant their assisted dying request if they are initially rejected for the procedure. But Ms Leadbeater assured the Commons that a report would be produced by a doctor if they felt the patient did not meet the criteria. This would then be passed onto the patient, the co-ordinating doctor and an assisted dying commissioner overseeing the case. Other MPs said the UK's 'broken' NHS, social care and palliative care systems needing addressing before assisted dying was accepted. Opponents also complained the Bill does not have enough protections and has been rushed through. Labour MP Naz Shah claimed she did not realise her amendment ensuring better protections for those who voluntarily stop eating or drinking had been accepted until she was sitting in Parliament. She described the parliamentary process as 'chaos', adding: "We shouldn't be playing games with people's lives like this." Follow our Mirror Politics account on Bluesky here. And follow our Mirror Politics team here - Lizzy Buchan, Mikey Smith, Kevin Maguire, Sophie Huskisson, Dave Burke and Ashley Cowburn. Be first to get the biggest bombshells and breaking news by joining our Politics WhatsApp group here. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you want to leave our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Or sign up here to the Mirror's Politics newsletter for all the best exclusives and opinions straight to your inbox. And listen to our exciting new political podcast The Division Bell, hosted by the Mirror and the Express every Thursday. Jess Asato, a Labour MP who opposes the bill, was among MPs to hit out at a letter from broadcaster Dame Esther Rantzen claiming that those who have concerns about the bill have "undeclared religious beliefs'. She says she found she and her colleagues found this "distasteful and disrespectful". The daughter of Dame Esther, who has stage four lung cancer and sparked a national conversation on assisted dying, said her mum is "terrified" her family will see her go through a "traumatic death". Speaking at a demonstration outside Parliament, Rebecca Wilcox said: "She's terrified that our memories of her - and they are such good memories - will be destroyed by a bad death, and so she's asking for choice for everybody. Unfortunately, it won't be in time for her." Opponents of the bill also gathered in Westminster, including actor and disability campaigner Liz Carr. Gordon Macdonald, chief executive of Care Not Killing, said assisted dying was "really dangerous". Once you put assisted suicide or euthanasia into medicine, which is what's being proposed, there are lots and lots of vulnerable people at a huge risk of pressure or abuse, perhaps, by partners or, alternatively, just feeling a burden,' he said.
