‘Finally someone has listened’: Voluntary assisted dying advocate welcomes move

She has a simple message for MPs who will vote on the legislation: ‘put yourselves in these families’ shoes’

Vicky Crichton in hospital with her adored mum Brenda Bartlem-Ward.

The end of a six year battle is now in sight for former Sarina resident Vicky Crichton.

After going through the heartbreaking experience of having a dying mother ask her to put a pillow over her face, Ms Crichton has welcomed the landmark voluntary assisted dying legislation being introduced to parliament next week.

"I'm just so happy - I'm ecstatic," she said.

"I've been fighting for this since 2015, since mum died. It's taken six years.

"I feel like finally someone has listened to everything we've had to say."

Refusing to eat or take medication despite being in excruciating pain, Ms Crichton's mum begged anyone who would listen to "please, end my life".

After a final harrowing month of battling lung disease, a broken rib, shingles and losing the use of her limbs, Ms Bartlem-Ward succumbed to her various illnesses on Anzac Day 2015.

Since then, Ms Crichton has been passionately campaigning to legalise voluntary assisted dying in Queensland.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has revealed the state's long-awaited path to VAD would begin next week after the Law Reform Commission detailed how laws could work in Queensland.

Under the framework, voluntary assisted dying would be available to patients who have a condition that is advanced and expected to cause death within 12 months.

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

Two medical practitioners would assess a person's eligibility and the person would be required to maintain a decision-making capacity through the whole process, which health staff can conscientiously object to.

Government and Opposition MPs will receive a conscience vote on the proposal, which is almost universally opposed by church leaders.

Cherish Life Queensland executive director Teeshan Johnson said the group would campaign against VAD.

"There is a lot of opposition to the legalisation of assisted suicide in Queensland, and our small army of supporters will do our best to protect life at the end of life and push for an increase to palliative care funding in line with Palliative Care Queensland's recommendation of an extra $275m per year," she said.

But Ms Crichton has a simple message for MPs who will vote on the legislation: "put yourselves in these families' shoes".

Originally published as ‘Finally someone has listened’: Voluntary assisted dying advocate welcomes move