Euthanasia

Euthanasia, or voluntary assisted dying, is a deliberate act intended to cause the death of a patient, at that patient's request, for what he or she sees as being in his or her best interest. Because a request for euthanasia is necessarily at the request of a patient, a request for euthanasia is a right that all individuals should enjoy. In Australia, as in many other parts of the world, such issues are hotly debated. Regrettably, many people suffer as a result of government policies that are driven primarily, unfortunately, by religious ideology. The Euthanasia Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), found at the link below, provides answers to the most commonly asked voluntary assisted dying related questions. 

Voluntary Assisted Dying in the ACT 2023

A paper advocating the Human Rights Model for Voluntary Assisted Dying was developed in response to a consultation process on voluntary assisted dying in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). The paper, Voluntary Assisted Dying in the ACT 2023, is included without its appendices (the Summary Report and Results of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Survey 2021 are available elsewhere on this website).  

End of Life Choices Submission 2018

A Submission on End of Life Choices to the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Legislative Assembly is concerned with the right of every adult of sound mind to have choice in his or her end-of-life decision-making and to implement plans for their end-of-life so that their death is reliable, peaceful and at a time of their choosing. The submission’s key messages outline an ethical framework for voluntary assisted dying. 

Appendix 3 of the End of Life Choices submission is included in the links below. 

Euthanasia paper for Australian Senate 2014

The paper above has drawn on a submission to the Australian Senate's Inquiry into the Exposure Draft of the Medical Services (Dying with Dignity) Bill 2014 and a submission to the Australian Senate's Inquiry into the Rights of the Terminally Ill (Euthanasia Laws Repeal Bill) 2008.