HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED IN THE CAMPAIGN FOR VOLUNTARY ASSISTED DYING LAWS IN NSW JESSICA’S STORY

My father died in February 2018 after fighting mesothelioma to the bitter end for the better part of two years.

In the final months of his life he was in a great deal of pain, could barely eat or drink and could not breathe or function without the support of the oxygen machine.

When Dad died the first feeling I had was not sadness but a feeling of immense relief. Relief that his suffering was done, relief that he no longer needed to be poked and prodded by palliative care staff for no good reason and relief from a feeling that we had somehow failed him by letting him suffer the way he did in his final days. I can’t help but feel that if Dad had been given the opportunity to choose his time and his way, those final days would have been drastically different.

My hope for the future is that for all those families who face a similar fate, the NSW Parliament gives them the opportunity to do it with dignity and with the least amount of pain and suffering possible.

A voluntary assisted dying law would have allowed Jessica’s father the right to ask his doctor for medication to end his life quickly and peacefully. Please help us change the law to give terminally ill people the choice to die without suffering.

This booklet contains advocacy tools you can use to help our campaign for voluntary assisted dying laws in . HOW CAN YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE? The most important thing you can do is to contact members of the NSW Parliament and ask them to vote for voluntary assisted dying laws. In late 2017 a Bill to legalise voluntary assisted dying was introduced in the NSW Parliament. It was debated in the upper house but was defeated by just one vote. It is disappointing that MPs refused to pass these important laws which are supported by 85% of the community (Roy Morgan Survey, Nov. 2017). We hope that another Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill will be introduced in the current term of Parliament. MPs are expected to be given a “conscience” vote. This means that they are free to consider the wishes of their electorate when determining how to vote and to form their own views about assisted dying laws. When MPs hear from their constituents on an issue we have the power to influence their vote, especially when it comes to end of life choices that will touch the lives of every one of us. Your personal stories can be a very powerful way to persuade your MP to vote for assisted dying laws. Politicians need to be reminded that this is an important issue for most Australians. The more they hear, the more confident they will be to support and push for the debate in Parliament. You can help spread the word by raising awareness in the community and encouraging your friends and family to contact their Member of Parliament. Dying with Dignity NSW will be with you every step of the way. We can provide training and advice to help you take action. Now is the time to act. Can we count on you? HOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR LOCAL MP Your local MP is your representative in the NSW Legislative Assembly (lower house) which has 92 members, each representing an electorate. They will be your voice in Parliament in relation to voluntary assisted dying laws. The 42 members of NSW Legislative Council (upper house) are elected by the whole State rather than a single electorate. The upper house is similar to the Senate in Federal Parliament. The best way you can make an impact is to get in touch with the lower house MP for your electorate. You can look up your NSW electorate on this website https://roll.elections.nsw.gov.au/areafinder/

At the back of this booklet is a list of NSW electorates with contact details for lower house and upper house MPs.

WRITE TO YOUR LOCAL MP Letters can be powerful, especially if they include your own personal experiences with death and dying. If you are a healthcare professional please mention this. Put pen to paper or write an email to tell your local MP why you support voluntary assisted dying laws. Consider including a photograph perhaps from a happier time so MPs realise we are talking about real people. Handwritten letters and personal emails are most effective. However, you can use this online tool to send a quick email to your MP. https://dwdnsw.good.do/MP2020/ Please be sure to use a respectful tone when explaining your reasons for supporting assisted dying laws. See our website for a letter writing guide and background information about assisted dying laws: dwdnsw.org.au CALL YOUR LOCAL MP Members of Parliament receive phone calls from constituents every day. They actively encourage members of the community to get in touch to share their views. So why not pick up the phone and let them know how you feel? It can be as simple as saying “Hi, I’m calling to ask my local MP to support voluntary assisted dying laws.” You can also share your personal story. You can ask your local MP to meet with you so you can tell them why you want them to support voluntary assisted dying laws. THINGS TO ASK YOUR MP When you contact your MP, ask them to: • confirm that they will consider the wishes of the electorate when voting on voluntary assisted dying laws • confirm that they will review the evidence and listen to the experts and cast their vote based on the facts • commit to support the introduction of another assisted dying bill as soon as possible • ensure a respectful debate • respect the separation of church and state and not allow the religious views of the minority to determine the end of life choices available to dying people.

If you’re unsure about what to say or you would like someone to read over your letter before you send it, get in touch [email protected] or phone (02) 9212 4782. WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITORS OF NEWSPAPERS We know members of parliament take an interest in the content of newspapers, especially in regional areas. Your letter can have a significant impact and encourage others to take action. We also encourage you to write to The Sydney Morning Herald and the Daily Telegraph. You can also make on-line comments on a newspaper’s website or Facebook page.

At the back of this booklet are details for newspapers to contact.

Hints for getting your letter published – get in early and be concise Provide contact details – Give your full name, address and phone number. Give your qualifications – If you are a healthcare worker or minster of religion, please mention this. Keep it short – Letters should be no longer than 150-200 words. Get in early – Send your letter in the early morning (especially for the Sydney Morning Herald). Keep it simple – Try to make just one or two clear points. Quality over quantity – Don’t bombard the editors. A few good letters will be more effective than sending lots of messages. Keep it civil – Be respectful and polite, especially if you are writing about your local member of parliament. Keep it relevant – Your letter should refer to a recent story in the paper or respond to another published letter. Keep it exclusive – Don’t copy your letter to other newspapers. CALL TALK BACK RADIO Talk back radio has a lot of listeners in NSW and can be very influential with politicians. Why not get your message out to a broader audience and encourage listeners to contact their MPs too? Calls to 2GB and ABC Radio Sydney are especially effective. You can also send them text messages.

At the back of this booklet are phone numbers for the major talk back radio stations.

VOLUNTEER AT A COMMUNITY STALL You might have seen us at a community stall at a shopping centre or local market. Maybe that’s where you picked up this booklet. Being visible in the community helps us recruit new supporters and raise the profile of our campaign. As the campaign intensifies we’ll be running even more stalls. HELP US ON THE PHONES Members of Parliament aren’t the only people we need to call. Dying with Dignity NSW has thousands of supporters and we need your help to encourage them to join the campaign. You can help out from home and one of our volunteer leaders will provide you with all of the training and information you need to get started.

To help with phoning or volunteer at a stall, contact [email protected] or phone (02) 9212 4782.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and share our posts to help spread the word. You can find us here:

Dying with Dignity NSW @dwdnsw.org.au @DWDnsw

@dyingwithdignitynsw TALK TO FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES There is nothing more powerful than a one on one conversation with someone you know. Help us spread the word. The time for action is now. Talk to your family, friends and colleagues and tell them what’s going on. Encourage them to step up and contact their Members of Parliament or volunteer with you. You can also spread the word on your social media. Share your story on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram alongside a photo for the most powerful impact. If you don’t have any photos, you can take a picture of yourself holding the sign on the back cover of this booklet.

LOWER HOUSE CONTACT LIST

Electorate Name Contact details Albury 612 Dean St, Albury 2640 Liberal (02) 6021 3042 [email protected] Auburn 92 Parramatta Rd, Lidcombe 2141 Labor (02) 9737 8822 [email protected] Ballina Shop 1, 7 Moon St, Ballina 2478 The Greens (02) 6686 7522 [email protected] Balmain Jamie Parker 112A Glebe Point Rd, Glebe 2037 The Greens (02) 9660 7586 [email protected] Bankstown 9A Greenfield Pde, Bankstown 2200 Labor (02) 9708 3838 [email protected] Barwon Roy Butler Suite 1, 60 Maitland St, Narrabri 2390 Shooters (02) 6792 1422 [email protected] Bathurst Suites 1 & 2, 229 Howick St, Bathurst 2795 Nationals (02) 6332 1300 [email protected] Baulkham Hills David Elliott 25-33 Old Northern Rd, Baulkham Hills 2153 Liberal (02) 9686 3110 [email protected] Electorate Name Contact details Bega Andrew 122 Carp St, Bega 2550 Constance (02) 6492 2056 Liberal [email protected] Blacktown Shop 3063 Westpoint, Blacktown 2148 Labor (02) 9671 5222 [email protected] Blue Mountains 132 Macquarie Rd, Springwood 2777 Labor (02) 4751 3298 [email protected] Cabramatta Suite 10, 5 Arthur St, Cabramatta 2166 Labor (02) 9724 3381 [email protected] Camden Peter 66 John St, Camden 2570 Sidgreaves (02) 4655 3333 Liberal [email protected] Campbelltown Shop 3, 72 Queen St, Campbelltown 2560 Labor (02) 4625 3344 [email protected] Canterbury 308-312 Beamish St, Campsie 2194 Labor (02) 9718 1234 [email protected] Castle Hill Ray Williams Suite 202 Rouse Hill Town Cnt, Rouse Hill 2155 Liberal (02) 8882 9555 [email protected] Cessnock 118 Vincent St, Cessnock 2325 Labor (02) 4991 1466 [email protected] Charlestown Unit 3, 313 Charlestown Rd, Charlestown 2290 Labor (02) 4942 1242 [email protected] Clarence Christopher 11 Prince St, Grafton 2460 Gulaptis (02) 6643 1244 Nationals [email protected] Coffs Harbour Gurmesh 1/9 Park Ave, Coffs Harbour 2450 Singh (02) 6652 6500 Nationals [email protected] Coogee Marjorie 15/53-55B Frenchmans Rd, Randwick 2031 O’Neill (02) 9398 1822 Labor [email protected] Electorate Name Contact details Cootamundra 140 Boorowa St, Young 2594 Nationals (02) 6382 2399 [email protected] Cronulla Mark Suite 203, 30 Kingsway, Cronulla 2230 Speakman (02) 9527 1477 Liberal [email protected] Davidson Jonathan Suite 8A, 12 Tryon Rd, Lindfield 207 O’Dea (02) 9880 7400 Liberal [email protected] Drummoyne 128 Great North Rd, Five Dock 2046 Liberal (02) 9713 2999 [email protected] Dubbo Dugald Shop 1, 18 Talbragar St, Dubbo 2830 Saunders (02) 6882 3577 Nationals [email protected] East Hills Wendy 20 Revesby Place, Revesby 2212 Lindsay (02) 9772 2774 Liberal [email protected] Epping Dominic Suite 303, 51 Rawson St, Epping 2121 Perrottet (02) 9877 0266 Liberal [email protected] Fairfield 55A Smart St, Fairfield 1860 Labor (02) 9726 9323 [email protected] Gosford 20 Blackwall Rd, Woy Woy 2256 Labor (02) 4342 4122 [email protected] Goulburn Wendy PO Box 168, Goulburn 2580 Tuckerman (02) 4822 6444 Liberal [email protected] Granville 160 Merrylands Rd, Merrylands 2160 Labor (02) 9637 1656 [email protected] Hawkesbury Bldg R4 Western Sydney Uni, Richmond 2753 Liberal (02) 4578 0300 [email protected] Heathcote Shops 1&2, 17-23 Station St, Engadine 2233 Liberal (02) 9548 0144 [email protected] Electorate Name Contact details Heffron Shop 117, 747 Botany Rd, Rosebery 2018 Labor (02) 9699 8166 [email protected] Holsworthy Melanie 60 Walder Rd, Hammondville 2170 Gibbons (02) 9825 3653 Liberal [email protected] Hornsby Suite 5, 25-29 Hunter St, Hornsby 2077 Liberal (02) 9476 3411 [email protected] Keira Shops 2&3, 247 Princes Hwy, Corrimal 2518 Labor (02) 4285 1588 [email protected] Kiama 102 Terralong St, Kiama 2533 Liberal (02) 4232 1082 [email protected] Kogarah Suite 1, 22-24 Regent St, Kogarah 2217 Labor (02) 9587 9684 [email protected] Ku-ring-gai Alister 27 Redleaf Ave, Wahroonga 2076 Henskens (02) 9487 8588 Liberal [email protected] Lake Macquarie 92 Victory Pde, Toronto 2283 Independent (02) 4959 3200 [email protected] Lakemba PO Box 80, Punchbowl 2196 Labor (02) 9759 5000 [email protected] Lane Cove Anthony 215 Rd, Gladesville 2111 Roberts (02) 9817 4757 Liberal [email protected] Lismore PO Box 52, Lismore 2480 Labor (02) 6621 3624 [email protected] Liverpool 100 Moore St, Liverpool 217 Labor (02) 9602 0040 [email protected] Londonderry PO Box 43, St Marys 1790 Labor (02) 9833 1122 [email protected] Electorate Name Contact details Macquarie Anoulack Shop 3, 2-6 Oxford St, Ingleburn 2565 Fields Chanthivong (02) 9618 2077 Labor [email protected] Maitland Jenny 2/12 Elgin St, Maitland 2320 Aitchison (02) 4933 1617 Labor [email protected] Manly James Griffin Shop 2, 2 Wentworth St, Manly 2095 Liberal (02) 9976 2773 [email protected] Maroubra PO Box 535, Maroubra 2035 Labor (02) 9349 6440 [email protected] Miranda PO Box 510, Miranda 1490 Liberal (02) 9525 6378 [email protected] Monaro 213 Crawford St, Queanbeyan 2620 Nationals (02) 6299 4899 [email protected] Mount Druitt Office 201 Westfields, Mount Druitt 2770 Labor (02) 9625 6770 [email protected] Mulgoa PO Box 316, St Clair 2759 Liberal (02) 9834 2966 [email protected] Murray 104-110 Banna Ave, Griffith 2680 Shooters (02) 6962 6644 [email protected] Myall Lakes Stephen Suite F4/F5, 1-9 Manning St, Tuncurry 2428 Bromhead (02) 6555 4099 Nationals [email protected] Newcastle Tim Ground Floor 414 Hunter St, Newcastle 2300 Crakanthorp (02) 4926 1126 Labor [email protected] Newtown 383 King St, Newtown 2042 The Greens (02) 9517 2800 [email protected] North Shore Suite 3, 40 Yeo St, Neutral Bay 2089 Liberal (02) 9909 2594 [email protected] Electorate Name Contact details Northern Adam Suite 1, 175 Rusden St, Armidale 2350 Tablelands Marshall (02) 6772 5552 Nationals [email protected] Oatley 24 Pitt St, Mortdale 2223 Liberal (02) 9580 9349 [email protected] Orange 123 Byng St, Orange 2800 Shooters (02) 6362 5199 [email protected] Oxley 37 Elbow St, West Kempsey 2440 Nationals (02) 6562 6190 [email protected] Parramatta Ground Lv, 60 Macquarie St, Parramatta 2150 Liberal (02) 9891 4722 [email protected] Penrith Shop 23, 510-534 High St, Penrith 2750 Liberal (02) 4722 8660 [email protected] Pittwater 1725 Pittwater Road, Mona Vale 2103 Liberal (02) 9999 3599 [email protected] Port Macquarie Leslie Suite 6, 27 Grant St, Port Macquarie 2444 Williams (02) 6584 0977 Nationals [email protected] Port Stephens Kate 1/82 Port Stephens St, Raymond Terrace 2324 Washington (02) 4987 4455 Labor [email protected] Prospect Hugh 2/679 The Horsley Drive, Smithfield 2164 McDermott (02) 9756 4766 [email protected] Riverstone Shop 20, 2 Sentry Dr, Stanhope Gardens 2768 Liberal (02) 8883 3499 [email protected] Rockdale Stephen 478 Princes Highway, Rockdale 2216 Kamper (02) 9597 1414 Labor [email protected] Ryde Victor Suite 202, 5-9 Devlin St, Ryde 2112 Dominello (02) 9808 3288 Liberal [email protected] Electorate Name Contact details Seven Hills Mark Taylor 166 Best Rd, Seven Hills 2147 Liberal (02) 9831 8022 [email protected] Shellharbour Shop 3, 10 College Ave, Shellharbour 2529 Labor (02) 4297 3111 [email protected] South Coast Shelley 1/57 Plunkett St, Nowra 2541 Hancock (02) 4421 0222 Liberal [email protected] Strathfield Jodi McKay Shop 2, 36-38 Victoria St, Burwood 2134 Labor (02) 9747 1711 [email protected] Summer Hill 299-301 Marrickville Rd, Marrickville 2204 Labor (02) 9572 5900 [email protected] Swansea Shop 1, 204-206 Pacific Hwy, Swansea 2281 Labor (02) 4972 1133 [email protected] Sydney Alex Ground Floor, 21 Oxford St, Darlinghurst 2010 Greenwich (02) 9267 5999 Independent [email protected] Tamworth Kevin Ground Floor, 13 Fitzroy St, Tamworth 2340 Anderson (02) 6766 1422 [email protected] Terrigal Shop 3, 148-158 The Entrance Rd, Erina 2250 Liberal (02) 4365 1906 [email protected] The Entrance 24 The Entrance Rd, The Entrance 2261 Labor (02) 4334 1012 [email protected] Tweed PO Box 6695, Tweed Heads South 2486 Nationals (07) 5523 4816 [email protected] Upper Hunter Michael 20 Bridge St, Muswellbrook 2333 Johnson (02) 6543 1065 Nationals [email protected] Vaucluse Gabrielle 330 New South Head Rd, Double Bay 2028 Upton (02) 9326 1856 Liberal [email protected] Electorate Name Contact details Wagga Wagga Joe McGirr 76 Morgan St, Wagga Wagga 2650 Independent (02) 6921 1622 [email protected] Wakehurst PO Box 405, Dee Why 2099 Liberal (02) 9981 1111 [email protected] Wallsend PO Box 324, Wallsend 2287 Labor (02) 4950 0955 [email protected] Willoughby Gladys 280 Willoughby Rd, Naremburn 2065 Berejiklian (02) 9439 4199 Liberal [email protected] Wollondilly Nathaniel Shop 1, 117 Remembrance Dr, Tahmoor 2573 Smith (02) 4683 2622 Liberal [email protected] Paul Scully 2/51 Crown St, Wollongong 2500 Labor (02) 4226 5700 [email protected] Wyong David Harris Shop 4, 142 Pacific Hwy, Wyong 2259 Labor (02) 4352 2711 [email protected] UPPER HOUSE CONTACT LIST Mailing address for upper house MPs is Parliament House, 6 Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000

Liberal Party John Ajaka [email protected] (02) 9230 2300 [email protected] (02) 9230 2764 Catherine Cusack [email protected] (02) 9230 2915 [email protected] (02) 9230 3786 [email protected] (02) 9230 2080 Natasha [email protected] (02) 9230 2836 Maclaren-Jones [email protected] (02) 9230 2434 [email protected] (02) 9230 2985 Matthew [email protected] (02) 9230 3557 Mason-Cox Damien [email protected] (02) 9230 3679 Tudehope Natalie Ward [email protected] (02) 9230 2186 National Party [email protected] (02) 9230 2286 [email protected] (02) 9230 2888 Ben Franklin [email protected] (02) 9230 3793 [email protected] (02) 9230 3491 [email protected] (02) 9230 3499 [email protected] (02) 9230 3974 Labor Party [email protected] (02) 9230 2810 Anthony D’Adam [email protected] (02) 9230 2260 [email protected] (02) 9230 2280 John Graham [email protected] (02) 9230 2430 Courtney [email protected] (02) 9230 2694 Houssos [email protected] (02) 9230 3789 [email protected] (02) 9230 2736 [email protected] (02) 9230 2393 Shaoquett [email protected] (02) 9230 2526 Moselmane [email protected] (02 9230 2686 [email protected] (02) 9230 2160 [email protected] (02) 9230 2111 [email protected] (02) 9230 2741 [email protected] (02) 9230 2714 The Greens [email protected] (02) 9230 2850 [email protected] (02) 9230 3771 [email protected] (02) 9230 3030 Pauline Hanson’s One Nation [email protected] (02) 9230 3682 Rod Roberts [email protected] (02) 9230 2445 Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party [email protected] (02) 9230 2850 [email protected] (02) 9230 3511 The [email protected] (02) 9230 3462 Mark Pearson [email protected] (02) 9230 2445 Christian Democratic Party ( Group) Fred Nile [email protected] (02) 9230 2478 Independent [email protected] (02) 9230 3335 MEDIA CONTACT LIST Letters to the Editor

Newspapers Region Email The Australian National [email protected] Sydney Morning NSW [email protected] Herald Daily Telegraph NSW [email protected] The Senior NSW [email protected] Central Western Orange [email protected] Daily Daily Advertiser Wagga [email protected] Wagga Daily Liberal Dubbo [email protected] Mercury Wollongong [email protected] and Illawarra Newcastle Herald Newcastle [email protected] and Hunter Valley Northern Daily Tamworth [email protected] Leader Western Bathurst [email protected] Advocate Border Mail Albury, [email protected] Riverina and Wodonga Newspapers Region Email Tweed Daily Far North [email protected] News Coast Daily Examiner Grafton and [email protected] Clarence Valley Armidale Express Armidale [email protected] Coffs Coast Coffs [email protected] Advocate Harbour Southern Bowral [email protected] Highlands News Goulburn Post Goulburn [email protected]

See our website for more details https://dwdnsw.org.au/newspapers-letters-to-editor/ TALKBACK RADIO If you hear voluntary assisted dying being discussed on talkback radio give them a call and share your story. Here are some useful phone numbers. Metropolitan Stations Talkback phone Text 2GB 131 873 ABC Radio Sydney 1300 222 702 SMS: 0467 922 702 Regional ABC Stations Talkback phone Text ABC Broken Hill (08) 8082 4000 SMS: 0467 922 783 ABC Central Coast 1300 925 222 SMS: 0467 922 684 ABC Central West 1300 549 222 SMS: 0467 922 684 ABC Coffs Coast 1300 222 923 SMS: 0467 922 684 ABC Illawarra 1300 973 300 SMS: 0467 922 684 ABC Mid North Coast 1300 662 279 SMS: 0467 922 684 ABC Newcastle and Upper Hunter 1300 331 233 SMS: 0487 991 233 ABC New England North West 1300 648 222 SMS: 0467 922 684 ABC North Coast 1300 659 994 SMS: 0467 922 684 ABC Riverina 1300 22 1027 SMS: 0467 922 684 ABC South East NSW 1300 810 222 SMS: 0467 922 684 ABC Western Plains 1300 22 1071 SMS: 0467 922 684 CONNECT WITH DYING WITH DIGNITY NSW

[email protected] www.dwdnsw.org.au 02 9212 4782 PO Box 25, Broadway, NSW 2007 Dying with Dignity NSW @dwdnsw.org.au

@dyingwithdignitynsw

@DWDnsw MY LIFE MY CHOICE