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News Highlights NEWS | Summer 2019 News Highlights President’s Message 2 Assisted Dying Law Passes in WA 4 How Can You Help? 5 The Future of VEP NSW 6 Community Advocacy Up and Running 7 DYING WITH DIGNITY NSW Janet Cohen’s Story 8 PO Box 25 Broadway NSW 2007 Interstate News 10 p: 02 9212 4782 International News 12 e: [email protected] Regional and Other Groups 13 w. www.dwdnsw.org.au Make a Donation 16 JOURNAL - ISSN 0813-5614 Page | 1 NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2019 President’s Message has finished its parliamentary inquiry and its report is expected in March 2020. The Premier is under Wonderful news from Western Australia with their pressure to introduce a VAD Bill before their state Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill finally passing their election late next year. Andrew Denton, who has Upper House on Thursday 5 December by 24 been such a tireless advocate for assisted dying votes to 11. Although we had been confident of laws, has turned his attentions to Queensland its passage for some weeks the parliamentary and cancer sufferer, Tanya Battel, has launched a process almost ground to a halt with conservative petition begging the Premier to move quickly on Liberal MP Nick Goiran seeking to delay the VAD laws. Given the huge public support for VAD bill’s passage with endless amendments and across the country, it makes good political sense questions. Finally, after scathing press reports to support VAD laws but Labor is still reeling about the damage this abuse of process was from its poor result in Queensland at the Federal causing to the Liberal brand in WA the torture election last May and appears to be nervous ended after almost 102 hours of debate in about introducing a significant reform so close to the upper house. Nick Goiran is a committed the state election (see page 10). Christian with close connections to right to life groups and his actions can only be seen as The situation in New South Wales is very uncertain. an attempt to pursue his own religious agenda We had expected another VAD Bill to be introduced regardless of the wishes of a majority of the this year but the acrimonious debate over abortion electorate and the damage to his own party. reform has been very damaging, creating bitter These same tactics were employed by opponents divisions in the parliament, particularly within the in the Victorian debate and we can expect similar Liberal Party between their moderate and hard parliamentary “games” when VAD laws come right factions. At this stage we do not know what before parliaments in other States. No wonder the prospects are for VAD in NSW. public trust in politicians is at an all time low. Despite this, we are continuing our work and The WA Bill is similar to the Victorian VAD Law but focussing on building grassroots support in the the process is less cumbersome and will hopefully community. The most important thing we can do be more workable for both patients and doctors. is encourage supporters of VAD to lobby their Like Victoria, the WA law will have an 18 month local MPs to make them realise how strongly the implementation period before it comes into effect community feels about VAD laws (see page 5). (see page 4). We have been training community advocates to The Victorian Law has been operating now give them the skills to work in their local areas to for almost 6 months and the first person to motivate others to get active in the campaign (see access the law was reported in July 2019. Kerry page 7). Robertson’s death was exactly what she had To support this important work we are launching wished for, quick and peaceful, with her loved an appeal to build a campaign fund of $100,000 ones at her side. Her daughters said her death to spread our message and lobby more effectively was “perfect and that she “left this world with for VAD laws in NSW. Our opponents are well- courage and grace” (see page 9). funded and gearing up to fight tooth and nail Now that two States have passed VAD laws, we to defeat assisted dying laws. The Australian hope that other States will follow. Queensland Christian Lobby are seeking $700,000 to train www.dwdnsw.org.au 7000 advocates for “life” and religious freedoms. Can you help us fight back by making a donation DYING WITH DIGNITY NSW today? Visit the donate page on our website or use the form on the back page of this newsletter. Have you seen our new Webstore? You can now Save the Day order T-Shirts, fridge magnets and shopping bags and download our Advance Care Planning 2020 AGM materials. You can also order flyers to distribute in your local area. www.dwdnsw.org.au/store/ Saturday 18 April 2020 The Voluntary Euthanasia Party has taken the From 1.30pm-3.30pm major step of merging with the Reason Party North Sydney Community Centre which will allow it to grow into a fully-fledged 220 Miller St, North Sydney 2060 political party and take advantage of Reason’s campaign skills and expertise while allowing it Guest Speaker to pursue its aim of achieving voluntary assisted dying laws in NSW. A very exciting development Dr Cam McLaren (see page 6). Assisting terminally ill patients We were delighted to see Palliative Care Australia to access Voluntary Assisted formally change its position on VAD from Dying laws in Victoria. “opposed” to “neutral”. After wide consultation and careful consideration of the evidence from other jurisdictions they determined that the PLEASE JOIN US introduction of VAD laws is not detrimental to the provision of palliative care and that the wide If you are not already a financial member range of views on VAD within the palliative care of Dying with Dignity NSW, you can join profession did not support their previous position online at dwdnsw.org.au. Or call our office of opposition to VAD (see page 9). on (02) 9212 4782 leaving your full name The introduction of assisted dying laws across and postal address, so we can mail you the Australia is inevitable but the pace of change is membership form. uncertain with powerful forces fighting hard to Annual membership is $50 ($25 block legislative reform. However, advocates are concession) or you could become a Life committed to seeing laws passed in Australia and Member for $500. around the world. Across the Tasman, the New Zealand parliament has passed VAD laws which will be put to a referendum for approval in 2020 (see page 12). A VAD Bill is under development in Tasmania and we are awaiting the report from a parliamentary inquiry in South Australia. The ACT parliament has recently passed a motion to BECOME A ask the Federal government to overturn laws prohibiting the SUPPORTER Territories from passing VAD laws (see page 11). If you prefer not to join as a member, simply sign up to our emailing list. You can sign up As always, thank you for your support, online at dwdnsw.org.au or send us an email at [email protected] Penny Hackett President, DWD NSW Page | 3 NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2019 EXCITING NEWS Assisted Dying Law The new amendments mean that only doctors and senior nurses will be authorised to raise the option Passes in WA of assisted dying with a terminally ill patient in the context of a medical consultation about end of Western Australia has become the second state in life choices. No other medical professionals will Australia to pass Voluntary Assisted Dying laws. The be permitted to initiate a conversation about VAD. Bill passed in the upper house 24 votes to 11 on Anyone seeking to access assisted dying will also Thursday 5 December and at that point its passage need approval from two independent doctors and into law was inevitable. all end of life discussions must include informing the Proponents of the legislation were thrilled when patient of palliative care and other treatment and in the last weeks of the debate the WA branch of pain management options. the Australian Medical Association (AMA) changed There had been fears that the debate could drag its position and decided to support the voluntary on into 2020 with one of the strongest opponents, assisted dying laws after the government revealed upper house Liberal MP Nick Goiran, introducing 12 new amendments. The AMAWA were initially nearly 400 amendments in a blatant attempt to against the Bill but their stance softened after weeks delay the bill and make it unworkable. Fortunately, of consultation with Health Minister Roger Cook and following intense pressure from Liberal leader, Liza other supporters of the legislation. Harvey, members of his own party, the media and “These amendments go to the concerns raised by the general public, including through a Change. the AMA in their deliberations on the Bill and I’m org petition, Nick Goiran finally agreed to stop his pleased to see that we’ve reached agreement with stalling tactics and allow the Bill to go to a vote in relation to those, and with that agreement there time for it to pass this year. should be no further impediment to this legislation now proceeding at pace,” said Mr Cook. www.dwdnsw.org.au NEWS FROM NEW SOUTH WALES Abortion Debate Damages Prospects for Assisted Dying in NSW Dying with Dignity NSW were expecting a new VAD bill to be introduced in late 2019 but the abortion law reform debate held throughout August and September was so damaging for the Berejiklian government it is now unclear when MPs will be prepared to progress voluntary assisted dying legislation in NSW.
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