Dear Members and Friends,
The Victorian VAD legislation has now been
operating for five years, and the report which came
out made several suggestions for improvement
which have been well received and are likely to be
legislated.
The Australian Capital Territory passed their
legislation in August, and it will be available from 3
November, this year. The Chief Minister of the
Northern Territory has stated that VAD “is not a
priority”, despite an independent advisory panel
finding that 71% of the NT community are in favour.
A recently elected Independent MP, Justine Davis is
hoping to introduce a Private Member’s Bill. I have
made her aware of our website and the Christian
support for VAD.
My letter to the Northern Territory News was
published on 26 September.
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has
published its Position Statement on VAD 2025. The
introduction very encouragingly states: “Doctors
have an ethical duty to provide their patients with
quality end-of-life care that strives to alleviate pain
and suffering, supports an individual’s values and
preferences for care, and allows them to achieve
the best quality of life possible. This position
statement serves to support doctors and patients
who choose to participate, and those who choose
not to participate, in Voluntary Assisted Dying
services, where legally available in Australia.” Go
to their website: www.ama.com.au if you want to
read more.
Telehealth consultations continue to be illegal.
Contact your incoming Federal MPs and ask them
to push for a change to restrictions on Telehealth for
VAD which continue to disadvantage people in
remote rural areas and those unable to travel to
appointments. The AMA has also asked the
Government to act on this issue. Lack of Medicare
benefits for VAD also disadvantages poorer
patients, but this is at last starting to be addressed.
Go Gentle Australia has recently released a paper
about the burning issue of Dementia and VAD that it
commissioned Dr Kylie Ladd to research. GGA
Dementia Paper. Go to their website
www.gogentleaustralia.org.au if the above link
doesn’t work.
Awareness – Doctors in Victoria and South Australia
are still not allowed to mention VAD to patients, but
a recent survey in Queensland has shown that many
people are not aware that VAD is now a legal option.
In conjunction with U3A Southern Highlands, DWD
NSW and a local Death Doula, I was pleased to give
a short talk about our group. The vital importance of
preparing an Advance Care Directive (ACD) and
nominating an Enduring Guardian was also
mentioned. Maybe you are involved in a group
which could host a guest speaker from the DWD
organisation in your state.
Go Gentle Australia organised a conference of all
the DWD Organisations in Australia and New
Zealand (VADANZ) in Brisbane late October, which
was well attended.
The President of DWD Victoria, Jane Morris
announced at that conference that DWDV
awarded me the Rodney Syme Medal for 2024.
This Medal recognises distinguished effort in
pursuit of the Dying with Dignity cause. I was very
honoured to receive this award which recognises our
group’s significant input to the VAD campaign.
We continue to regularly receive requests for
information via our website.
Overseas.
The Isle of Man was the first jurisdiction in the UK to
pass an Assisted Dying Bill in late March, and it has
been forwarded for Royal Assent. There was an
historic win in the House of Commons at the Second
Reading of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill
in November 2024. Their Committee stage has just
completed, during which they studied the Australian
and New Zealand VAD models. It is now due to go
back to the Commons for debate. There has been
the predictable opposition by religious groups.
Debate is continuing in Scotland and Jersey.
MAiD (Medical Assistance in Dying) in Canada
continues to provide a painfree and peaceful
compassionate end of life choice and Quebec has
recently allowed access to MAiD by people suffering
from Dementia via an Advance Request. This is
creating controversy, but highlights this vitally
important unresolved issue.
Countries currently allowing Assisted Dying:
Australia (excluding the Northern Territory), Austria,
Belgium, Canada, Germany, Luxembourg, Portugal,
Spain, Switzerland, The Netherlands, USA
(California, Colorado, the District of Columbia,
Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, New Mexico, New Zealand, Oregon,
Vermont, and Washington. Montana’s Court has
ruled that Assisted Dying is permissable, but the
State has not legislated for it.
The constitutional courts of Colombia, Ecuador and
Italy have legalised Assisted Dying, but their
governments have not yet legislated or regulated
the practice.
Donations: Donations are gratefully received and
can still be made by direct deposit to Christians for
VE – BSB: 105003 A/C: 119890940.
Sadly, many Church hierarchies continue to be vocal
in their opposition. Because of this continued
opposition and the need to have the laws passed in
the Northern Territory, it is hoped that you will
continue to be a member of our group. Please
contact me if you have any questions.
Best wishes, Continue reading
