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.
“As I have said, we have heard directly from those with a terminal illness that people know that when they have a choice, they live their remaining time with less fear and more peace.”
Allan said the reform protects the right to choose comfort over suffering and calm over chaos.
Concern Guardrails Being Relaxed
However, Liberal MP Chris Crewther said the bill relaxes the guardrails that parliament deliberately put in place several years ago.He said these guardrails included protecting vulnerable people, respecting pluralism in health care, and maintaining public trust.
“In all three tests, this bill is problematic,” he added.
“I cannot in good faith support this bill as presented, particularly when it comes to clauses around conscientious objection from registered health practitioners, the potential expanded risk for elder abuse or abuse of authority and, in terms of timeframes, the fact that things change.”
Crewther argued that prognosis could be unpredictable.
What are the Changes in the VAD Bill?
Other changes in the bill include enabling patients to switch between self-administration and practitioner administration without applying for a new permit.The gag clause will be removed, enabling doctors and nurses to raise the topic of VAD as an option in end-of-life discussions. Previously, only patients could spearhead this conversation.
Doctors who decline to participate for personal reasons will be required to give patients official information on finding VAD.
Opposition Leader Supports the Legislation
Opposition leader Brad Battin offered bipartisan support to Allan, framing his position around personal experience, empathy and choice.“I agree with the premier, because it is about people, it is not about politics,” Battin said.
He shared stories of two friends: one who chose VAD to spend his final hours peacefully with family, and another who decided to live every moment until the end.
“I am a fundamental believer in freedom of choice,” Battin said.
However, Liberal MP Brad Rowswell did not agree with most of the government’s proposed amendments.
He argued the government’s consultation process was “not as comprehensive as it could have been.”
Rowswell also noted that the five-year review of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2017 did not consider legislative changes.
“In practice, this means that many respondents to the review will not have had the opportunity to offer views on potential legislative changes,” he said.
