Victoria makes history by passing their voluntary assisted dying bill
Today the Victorian Parliament has made history by becoming the first Australian state to approve the introduction of a voluntary assisted dying scheme. After more than 100 hours of debate across both houses of the Victorian Parliament and two demanding all-night sittings, Lower House MPs ratified the Victorian Government’s amended Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill.
Outside Parliament House, Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews, told reporters that “This is a day of reform, a day of compassion and a day of giving control to those who are terminally ill….I’m proud we have put compassion right at the centre of our parliamentary and political process.”
Under the legislation, which will come into effect in mid 2019, Victorians with a terminal illness and less than six months to live will be able to obtain a lethal drug within 10 days of asking to die, after completing a three-step process involving two independent medical assessments. They must be over the age of 18, of sound mind, have lived in Victoria for at least 12 months and be suffering in a way that “cannot be relieved in a manner the person deems tolerable”. The patient must administer the drug themselves, but a doctor can deliver the lethal dose in rare cases where someone was physically unable to end their own life.
Daniel Andrews’ Government has also pledged to spend $62 million over five years on end of life and palliative care.
Click for ABC article 29/11/17 ‘Euthanasia: Victoria becomes the first Australian state to legalise voluntary assisted dying‘
Click for The Herald Sun article including short SkyNews video of speech by Victorian Health Minister, Jill Hennessy 29/11/17 ‘Euthanasia Bill: Voluntary Assisted Dying scheme passes Victorian Parliament‘
Click for The Age Editorial 29/11/17 ‘Assisted dying law a credit to Victoria’s Parliament; now for federal change‘
Related posts on DWD NSW website
Click for ‘Victorian bill passed by the Upper House, with amendments‘ 22 November 2017
Click for ‘Compelling speeches support Victorian bill through to committee stage‘ 11 November 2017
Click for ‘Victorian MPs insist on amendments to pass assisted dying bill‘ 31 October 2017
Click for ‘Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill passed by Victoria’s Lower House after 26-hour debate‘ 20 October 2017
Click for ‘Debate on Victorian Bill begins today‘ 16 October 2017
Click for ‘Victorian Government Bill in Parliament‘ 22 September 2017
Parliamentary Documents
Click for Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill Victoria 2017
Click for Victorian Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2017 Research Note_October 2017