Victorian euthanasia laws: Call for voluntary scheme to be restricted to terminally ill adults

PHARMACIES would dispense deadly drugs under a Victorian voluntary euthanasia scheme that is likely to have access limited to some terminally ill patients with a year or less to live.

Pharmacies would dispense deadly drugs under a Victorian voluntary euthanasia scheme. Picture: Thinkstock

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PHARMACIES would dispense deadly drugs under a Victorian voluntary euthanasia scheme that is likely to have access limited to some terminally ill patients with a year or less to live.

A preliminary report on how proposed Victorian euthanasia laws could be implemented will be released today, showing most experts and community groups want a scheme restricted to adults.

The report was given to Health Minister Jill Hennessy after 14 consultation forums were held across the state hearing from about 300 people including community groups, medical bodies, carer groups, disability advocacy groups and legal organisations.

Premier Daniel Andrews has committed to putting legislation to State Parliament by the end of the year, after a parliamentary committee recommended laws be created.

Minister for Health Jill Hennessy. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

It is understood that the government is closely considering some US state models, but with a cap of 12 months for applicants. That means someone with an incurable terminal illness in acute pain, who has been given a year to live but can still make decisions, would be eligible.

Some exemptions would apply, and people with illnesses such as dementia would be barred because they would not be able to make independent decisions.

People would need two independent doctors to sign off on their request for life-ending drugs, with a cooling-off period.

Ms Hennessy told the Herald Sun it was time to act because too many people were in unbearable pain at the end of their lives.

“This is an issue that the parliament lags behind the community sentiment and we have got a responsibility to provide people with a better death,” she said.

Premier Daniel Andrews has committed to putting legislation to State Parliament by the end of the year. Picture: Tim Carrafa

The 12-month time frame is favoured because it aligns with the period under which people can access palliative care and aligns with other end of life policies.

But some people consulted said this would be difficult to set for some illnesses, saying: “‘How long is a piece of string?’”

It is understood a 24 month time frame is effectively off the table, however, with the government favouring a more conservative model.

Pharmacies were backed to dispense the deadly medication, as long as strict safeguards were in place.

The impact of the listed cause of death on insurance eligibility was also highlighted in forums and submissions, and is something to be probed by the government.