Tennis champion-turned Christian pastor Margaret Court has likened euthanasia to capital punishment and urged a West Australian parliamentary committee not to back assisted dying.
"I find myself aghast that the Western society has stooped to even consider legally permitting the robbing of life and may possibly micro mismanage this issue of life and death," she said in her submission.
"Australia removed capital punishment decades ago. It was decided that government and judicial systems do not have the right to take life and yet the proposal of this committee is do that very thing in opposition to conscience, duty of care and professional capacity of civil government and its department.
"I think we have to ask ourselves: in our advanced society do we continue our endeavour to preserve life and not legislative capital punishment to our weak, vulnerable and marginalised people, the ones in which the strong in conscience should protect at all measures?"
Ms Court described palliative care in Australia as "amazing" and said finances and expertise should be directed towards advancing it further.
The parliamentary committee, which is examining the need for voluntary euthanasia laws in WA, has received several hundred submissions including from individuals, advocacy organisations, government agencies, religious institutions and academics.
Perth philanthropist and businesswoman Janet Holmes a Court has made a submission in support of euthanasia laws.
"I want to have the right to determine how and when my life is to end if I were terminally ill, suffering unbearably without the prospect of improvement, or if I had to depend on others for even the most basic care," she said.
Ms Holmes a Court said suitable palliative care should also be available to all who want it.
"However, I should also be able to get medical help for a peaceful death, as long as I am competent and have been informed of alternatives," she said.
"A good death should be at a place of my choice, peacefully, and with family or friends around."
