Annastacia Palaszczuk declares time is right for Qld to consider voluntary assisted dying legislation

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has declared the time is right for parliament to make a decision on legalising voluntary assisted dying in Queensland.

Voluntary assisted dying legislation will be put before parliament next week, with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk declaring the time is right for the state to consider the important issue.

The government will introduce a Bill making voluntary assisted dying available to patients who have a condition that is advanced and expected to cause death within 12 months.

Patients must reside in Australia, have the capacity to make a decision around end of life choices and be at least 18 years old.

“For many, this will be the most important work this parliament will do,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

She called for a respectful debate around the issue.

“It is a deeply personal choice,” she said.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announces voluntary assisted dying legislation will be considered by Queensland Parliament next week. Picture: David Clark

Ms Palaszczuk, who announced the proposal prior to last year’s state election, acknowledged some peoples’ opposition to the issue was “deeply and sincerely felt”.

“I urge all Queenslanders to follow the debate and participate in it with the utmost respect for other people and other points of view,” she said.

“We’re committed to delivering a $171 million investment in palliative care options but many people who have watched a loved one suffer feel passionately that there must be a dignified alternative.”

Government MPs will be permitted to vote on the Bill according to their conscience.

Ms Palaszczuk said the community could read the Queensland Law Reform Commission’s report on a legal framework for voluntary assisted dying.

“The commission listened to a range of health practitioners, organisations that support or oppose voluntary assisted dying, religious bodies, unions, legal bodies, members of the public and many more.

“The result is proposed legislation that QLRC has intended to be compassionate, safe and practical.”

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said there would be safeguards in place to protect those who seek to use VAD as an end-of-life option and medical practitioners asked to participate in the process.

“Under the draft laws, more than one medical opinion is needed and there are requirements around eligibility and decision-making capability as well as provisions for medical practitioners to conscientiously object,” she said.

Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman said there would be further “significant consultation”, and encouraged Queenslanders to have a say through the committee process.

The Bill will be introduced next week and be referred to the Health Committee for 12 weeks, which will report back to the parliament.

In September the parliament will debate and vote on the Bill.

Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman received the Queensland Law Reform Commission’s report last week.

THE CONDITIONS

Patients wanting to access VAD must:

● Have an eligible condition that is advanced and progressive and expected to cause death within 12 months

● Have a capacity to make a decision around end-of-life choices;

● Be acting voluntarily and without coercion;

● Be at least 18 years of age; and

● Satisfy residency requirements including being an Australian citizen or permanent resident and have been a resident of Queensland for at least a year

● Under the process proposed by the QLRC, a health practitioner must assess a request to access voluntary assisted dying and if that’s approved, it’s referred for further assessment.

Originally published as Annastacia Palaszczuk declares time is right for Qld to consider voluntary assisted dying legislation