Copyright brisbanetimes
Voluntary assisted dying reform has passed the lower house of the Victorian Parliament to applause and embrace. Labor and the Coalition both granted their members a conscience vote. It gave MPs the rare chance to offer – and the public a rare chance to see – thoughtful contributions and personal stories that have informed their positions. Family members and friends they watched die painfully, who have starved themselves, or who have taken the power away from their illness to choose to die on their own terms. Constituents they have sat down with. Many were brought to tears. As the first Australian jurisdiction to legislate assisted dying in 2017, Victoria’s framework has more onerous restrictions than other states that followed. The bill sought to bring Victoria into line with them, allowing doctors to initiate conversations about voluntary assisted dying and to extend access to patients with 12 months to live.
