After 25 years and 17 Bills, South Australia has become the fourth Australian state to pass a Voluntary Assisted Dying law! 24th June, 2021.
By working together we have made this happen!
Our grateful thanks go to Kyam Maher MLC for initiating this Bill in memory of his Mother, Viv. What an outstanding memorial!! Thanks also go to Dr Susan Close for her contribution in the House of Assembly. Then more thanks to all involved in the campaign including the VADSA team led by Frances Coombe, together with Anne Bunning, Susie Byrne, and Julia Anaf. Plus Dr Roger Hunt, Jane Qualmann, Angie Miller, Kym Watson, Rev Michael Dowling and Rev Dr Craig de Vos have all been invaluable SA advocates for compassionate end-of- life choice. Apologies to those I have omitted!
At this time we also remember with gratitude those campaigners who have died waiting for the law to be passed. These include our group Co-founder, Rev Trevor Bensch, our former Patron Kym Bonython, Bob Such MP and folk such as Mary Gallnor.
Others outside of SA who have mentored and assisted me to reach this stage include Tanya Battel, Penny Hackett, Shayne Higson, Geoffrey Williams, Adrian Price, Rev Ken Devereux, Mike Gaffney and Norma Jamieson, also Andrew Denton and Kiki Paul of Go Gentle Australia, ……………
Now we shift our focus to Queensland, New South Wales and the 2 Territories.
Ian Wood, Co-founder and Spokesperson, having a quiet celebration.
