Campaigners Jacqui and Natalie Gray cheers passing of Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill through Lower House
Only one small hurdle remains in the path of Tasmania having Voluntary Assisted Dying legislation, but two campaigning sisters are already celebrating. LATEST + WHAT’S NEXT >>
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- REVEALED: How every Tassie MP voted on right-to-die law
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“THIS is for you mum,” Jacqui and Natalie Gray cheered on Thursday night after they witnessed Tasmania’s Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill pass the Lower House with amendments.
“This is absolutely incredible. We are proud and honoured to represent not just the voice of our mother but the people of Tasmania,” Jacqui Gray said.
“The support has been amazing and to witness history being made last night was just so uplifting.”
The Grays led the campaign backing the latest euthanasia Bill after their mother Diane died after experiencing prolonged suffering in the lead-up to her death from stomach cancer.
The sisters have sat through all the proceedings on the Bill.
They have organised record-breaking petitions and held vigils outside Parliament House.
“We started the campaign in September 2019 when our mother died. In her last journal entry she begged for change,” she said.
“The campaign started as a voice for mum but ended up being a voice for all suffering Tasmanians and their loved ones.
“We have received so many heartwarming messages of support, particularly those who are battling a terminal illness right now.
“The pending laws might not come in time to help them all but they will change the end-of-life journey for those to come.”
"Voluntary assisted dying passes the Tasmanian House of Assembly!
— Mathew Munro - Gov't Policy & Media Critic (@mathew6789) March 4, 2021
The amended Bill will now return to the Legislative Council - hopefully for final approval." - Tasmanian MP, and Greens Leader Cassy O'Connor, via Facebook. #AusPol #politas #euthanasia #VAD
And the committed pair were there on Thursday night when the Bill passed the Lower House 16-6 in favour. Jacqui Gray said she and her sister – and the children they have “dragged along’ to countless events and parliamentary sittings – were exhausted but jubilant.
The vote means Tasmania is likely to become he third state to pass voluntary assisted dying laws.
The state’s Upper House, which previously unanimously supported the Bill, is set to give its final say on the amendments in coming weeks.
Cancer patient Ceara Rickard, who was one of 109 Tasmanians who lodged a written submission on the proposed laws, was also “beyond delighted” this morning.
Ms Rickard, 35, of Rose Bay, has accepted the illness will take her life, but like many suffering a terminal illness wants to have a choice about her final days when that time comes.
“I am absolutely thrilled with this news and particularly pleased a number of MPs changed their stance as they listened to reasoned debate,” Ms Rickard said.
“I don’t see the Bill not passing at this point.
“This legislation is not just about the elderly as many have painted the debate. It is about dignity in dying and easing suffering in people of all ages.
“The Bill is rigorous but I am disappointed there is still a time frame on how much pain people can endure before deciding to end their life and still a refusal to consider people under 18 years.”
VAD laws pass Lower House
Emma Hope
March 4, 10.35pm
In a landmark decision for Tasmania, right-to-die laws passed the Lower House late last night 16-6 in favour of the Bill.
Tasmania is likely to become the third state to pass voluntary assisted dying laws with the Upper House, which previously unanimously supported the Bill, set to give its final say in coming weeks.
An emotional independent MLC Mike Gaffney, who introduced the End Of Life Choices (Voluntary Assisted Dying) Bill 2020 to the Upper House last year, said he was thrilled with the result.
“I’m very excited for Tasmania in tonight’s decision,” he said.
“I think it’s a landmark decision for our state. I want to thank Sarah Courtney for her carriage of the Bill, she was absolutely outstanding.
“It’s a relief and it still has to pass the Upper House but I’m not expecting any issues there.
“Anyone who knows me knows I’ve invested a lot of time and energy in this, we’ve had a great team of supporters.”
The legislation will allow people who are suffering from advanced, incurable and irreversible conditions which are expected to cause their death within six months, to end their own lives.
Mr Gaffney acknowledged the contribution of Dying with Dignity Tasmania and sisters Jacqui and Natalie Gray from Your Choice Tasmania for their hard work getting it across the line.
Health Minister Ms Courtney said: “I am proud to be member of the Liberal Party – a party that has afforded its members a conscience vote – and I respect the range of views that have been outlined during this debate, and the amendments put forward by members that have strengthened the Bill.”
Big smiles all round after a long, moving debate on the #politas End of Life Care (Voluntary Assisted Dying) Bill 2020.
— Cassy O'Connor 🕯 (@CassyOConnorMP) March 4, 2021
Jacqui & Natalie Gray, & (very good 🥰) baby, Tilley, there at every step for their late Mum, Diane.
Amended Bill passed the lower house 16-6. Leg Co next. pic.twitter.com/E3k8Bri0Gr
Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said it was an incredible result.
“What a historic and moving moment. After 12 years and three previous attempts which the Greens have been part of, Voluntary Assisted Dying legislation has passed the House of Assembly,” she said.
“This is testament to the many people who’ve been campaigning for reform for so long, and of course, Mike Gaffney.”
Speaker of the House Sue Hickey congratulated the House of Assembly on a thorough and respectful debate on the Bill. “I’m very proud to be part of this memorable and historic occasion,” she said.
Momentous step for voluntary assisted dying laws in Tasmania
Cameron Whiteley
March 4, 9pm
Voluntary assisted dying looks likely to be passed as law in Tasmania after the Lower House passed a bill tonight.
Members of Tasmania’s House of Assembly were again engaged in intensive debate on amendments to the Bill that would legalise voluntary assisted dying.
Consideration of the legislation by MPs also occupied most of the parliamentary sitting day on Wednesday, with more than 100 potential amendments being worked through.
MPs voted to extend Wednesday’s sitting after progress was reported on the Bill.
Debate on the legislation continues and a final vote on the Bill could be held as soon as today depending on the progress of the amendments.
In December last year, MPs voted 17-7 in favour of the bill after the second-reading debate.
Labor and Green members voted unanimously in support with Liberal members allowed a conscience vote.
Tonight, the majority voted to support the amended legislation, which was introduced to the Legislative Council last year by Mersey MLC Mike Gaffney.
Now it has passed the House of Assembly, will return to the Upper House again where — if it passes its final hurdle, will see Tasmania become the third state to legalise voluntary assisted dying.
FEBRUARY 20:
HUNDREDS of candles shone brightly as the sun set over parliament Lawns on Saturday, with each honouring Australians unable to access voluntary assisted dying at the end of their life.
Sisters Jacqui and Natalie Gray are key advocates for voluntary assisted dying in Tasmania following a promise to their mum, Diane, after her torturous 11 month battle with terminal gastric cancer.
On Saturday evening, Parliament House was lit up in purple as about 1000 candles flickered on the lawns as part of a vigil in support of VAD legalisation in Tasmania.
“This vigil is representing the voices of those who didn’t have a choice when they were facing a terminal diagnosis,” Jacqui Gray said.
“It’s for the people who ended their life through suicide to escape the ravages of their disease, and for those who are yet to travel this path to a more compassionate end of life choice to allow them to live fearlessly in that final chapter of their life.”
People from across the country took part in the vigil, with those who couldn’t physically join still showing their support by having a name placed on a candle and by watching proceedings on the Facebook livestream.
Speaking at the vigil, Mike Gaffney MLC sincerely thanked the Gray sisters for such a magnificent effort.
He said when the Bill is debated in the House of Assembly in coming weeks, he hoped politicians reflected on their role as representatives of the state.
“With over 85 per cent of people in Tasmania wanting this legislation, I hope they vote accordingly,” he said.
Ms Gray said it was bittersweet seeing so much support behind the campaign — both in Tasmania and on the mainland.
“There’s support for Tasmania, but it’s difficult to also see the amount of suffering that’s going on Australia-wide with only two states in the country that have legalised,” she said.
“It’s bittersweet seeing the amount of support for voluntary assisted dying and how much of a struggle it has been for advocates like us who desperately want to get it through for the people whose stories of suffering we have heard. There is so much trauma and so much pain.”
In early December, MPs voted 17-7 in favour of the End of Life Choices (Voluntary Assisted Dying) Bill 2020 after the second-reading debate.
Ms Gray said a University of Tasmania report into the bill was expected to be released on February 17.
“We haven’t heard anything yet, but in coming days we will hear more,” she said.
“The Premier did say in December last year that it will be the first order of the day on March 2 when the Lower House resumes.”
If passed by the House of Assembly, the Bill will come into effect in June next year.
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