Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has thrown her support behind a bill that will ease access to voluntary assisted dying (VAD) in Victoria.
Key changes (pdf) to Victoria’s end-of-life laws include allowing an individual to access VAD if they are expected to die within 12 months, rather than six, and shortening the mandatory waiting period from nine to five days.
It also broadens the range of health practitioners who can discuss VAD with patients to include both doctors and nurse practitioners.
Victorians can already access VAD if they have an incurable, advanced and progressive disease causing intolerable suffering, and are expected to die within six months (or 12 months for neurodegenerative conditions).
Allan spoke in favour of the new legislation in a speech to parliament on Oct. 28, explaining she hopes to see the bill pass.“This is not about expanding access to death, it is about extending and expanding compassion for those who are dying,” Allan said.
