South Australia votes in favour of voluntary assisted dying law

A fourth Australian state has voted to legalise voluntary assisted dying after 16 failed attempts.

Euthanasia has been legalised in South Australia. Photo: Kari Bourne / Sunshine Coast Daily

South Australia will become the fourth Australian state to legalise euthanasia.

The Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill was passed in the state’s lower house on Thursday, the 17th attempt to make euthanasia law.

MLC Kyam Maher, who proposed the bill last year after seeing his mother suffer, took to social media with the news.

“It's all done in parliament,” he tweeted. “Every last bit.”

There were 16 failed attempts at passing the bill in the past 25 years. None made it past the Legislative Council until now.

The Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill passed in the lower house for a second time, making the law final. Picture: Supplied/ SA Parliament

Under the bill, voluntary assisted dying will be available to people who are over the age of 18, have lived in SA for at least one year and have been diagnosed with an incurable disease, illness or medical condition and are expected to die within weeks or months.

Doctors cannot treat patients who are family members or from whose death they would benefit.

Prior to today’s vote, the state’s lower and upper houses previously voted in favour of the bill.

It will next go to the Governor for approval before the law comes into effect in about 18 months.

The Health Department will also need to establish training and guidelines as well as a Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board before the law can come into operation.

Kyam Maher proposed the Bill in 2020. Picture: AAP Image/Kelly Barnes

Mr Maher said it was an “historic achievement” that allowed South Australians to have greater control, choice and dignity at the end of their lives.

“This achievement was only possible due to the tireless and courageous work of people – many of whom were in their final days – in local communities across the state to build support and convince their local MPs to support the change,” he said.