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Applause in Queensland Parliament gallery as historic bill passed, legalising voluntary assisted dying
ABC News, Thursday, 16/9/2021
Queensland will become the fifth (Australian) state to legalise voluntary assisted dying (VAD) after state Parliament passed a historic bill on Thursday.
After more than two days of emotionally charged debate, the bill passed with 61 MPs supporting the legislation and 30 voting against it.
The new laws — which are not set to take effect until January 2023 — will allow people aged 18 and older who are expected to die within 12 months, and who meet strict eligibility criteria, to seek medical assistance to end their lives.
The issue was first referred to a parliamentary committee in late 2018 and has been the subject of two inquiries, dozens of hearings across the state, and work by the state's law reform commission.
To be eligible to access VAD in Queensland, a person must be:
An oversight board will also be created to ensure the law is complied with, completed requests have been reviewed, and any issues are referred to entities such as the commissioner of police, the state coroner or the health ombudsman.
While health practitioners who have a conscientious objection will have the right to choose not to partake, the legislation does limit the ability of institutions themselves — such as faith-based private hospitals or aged care centres — to object to VAD.
Queensland is the fifth state in Australia to pass laws to legalise VAD, following Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania and South Australia.
More/Sources:
Applause in Queensland Parliament gallery as historic bill passed, legalising voluntary assisted dying - ABC News
How voluntary assisted dying will work in Queensland - ABC News
OB
ABC News, Thursday, 16/9/2021
Queensland will become the fifth (Australian) state to legalise voluntary assisted dying (VAD) after state Parliament passed a historic bill on Thursday.
After more than two days of emotionally charged debate, the bill passed with 61 MPs supporting the legislation and 30 voting against it.
The new laws — which are not set to take effect until January 2023 — will allow people aged 18 and older who are expected to die within 12 months, and who meet strict eligibility criteria, to seek medical assistance to end their lives.
The issue was first referred to a parliamentary committee in late 2018 and has been the subject of two inquiries, dozens of hearings across the state, and work by the state's law reform commission.
To be eligible to access VAD in Queensland, a person must be:
- At least 18 years old
- Have an eligible condition that is advanced and progressive, expected to cause death within 12 months, and causing intolerable suffering
- Have decision-making capacity
- Be acting voluntarily and without coercion
- Fulfil a residency requirement
An oversight board will also be created to ensure the law is complied with, completed requests have been reviewed, and any issues are referred to entities such as the commissioner of police, the state coroner or the health ombudsman.
While health practitioners who have a conscientious objection will have the right to choose not to partake, the legislation does limit the ability of institutions themselves — such as faith-based private hospitals or aged care centres — to object to VAD.
Queensland is the fifth state in Australia to pass laws to legalise VAD, following Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania and South Australia.
More/Sources:
Applause in Queensland Parliament gallery as historic bill passed, legalising voluntary assisted dying - ABC News
How voluntary assisted dying will work in Queensland - ABC News
OB
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