Positions on Voluntary Assisted Dying NSW Political Parties – Election 23 March 2019 PARTY NAME PARTY POSITION BINDING LEAD CANDIDATE POSITION (if known) SUPPORT POLICY Voluntary Euthanasia Binding policy: The primary objective of the Voluntary Euthanasia Party is to achieve laws for voluntary assisted dying in New The lead candidate Shayne Higson and all other candidates elected to NSW Parliament will Party South Wales. ✓ vote for VAD laws ✓ The Greens Binding policy: The Greens NSW believe voluntary euthanasia is a fundamental human right and that individuals should have the The lead candidate David Shoebridge and all other candidates elected to NSW Parliament freedom to make self-governing choices. Their full policy is on their website. ✓ will vote for VAD laws ✓ Liberal Democrats Binding policy: The Liberal Democrats believe that adults have the right to end their own lives, with or without assistance, and to The lead candidate David Leyonhjelm and all other candidates elected to NSW Parliament have access to information that helps them to do it. We believe in the inalienable right of individuals to end their lives painlessly, at a ✓ will vote for VAD laws. ✓ time of their choosing, and to be legally able to obtain information and assistance to do so with dignity. Keep Sydney Open Binding policy: Policy is to support the next Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill. The lead candidate Tyson Koh and any other candidates elected to NSW Parliament will vote ✓ for VAD laws. Tyson says, “It’s Keep Sydney Open’s policy to legalise VAD, and it also has my ✓ support as a candidate, assuming that any bill put to NSW is much the same as what was passed in Victoria.” Animal Justice Party Conscience Vote: The primary objective of the Voluntary Euthanasia Party is to achieve law Conscience Vote: Position statement: ✘ The lead candidate Emma Hurst has confirmed her support for VAD laws in NSW and says, The AJP supports voluntary euthanasia with appropriate safeguards to ensure that the choice is free and well informed. This choice “I am personally very supportive of voluntary euthanasia and the right to choose. I would vote ✓ should only be available when a person is diagnosed with a disease, illness or medical condition that is incurable, advanced, yes to the Bill assuming it has appropriate safeguards. progressive and will cause death; and is experiencing suffering that cannot be relieved in a manner that the person considers tolerable. s for voluntary assisted dying in New South Wales. Socialist Alliance Conscience Vote: The Socialist Alliance supports and campaigns for the right to choose to die with dignity and to decriminalise ✘ TThe lead candidate Rachel Evans fully supports the party position and would vote for assisting a person to carry out their free and informed choice to end their life. VAD laws. ✓ Sustainable Australia Conscience Vote: It is our party’s position to allow each individual the right to a conscience vote on this issue. ✘ The lead candidate William Bourke has confirmed his support for VAD laws in NSW saying, “I support the bill as it was presented to NSW Parliament. I am open to a reduction in the age ✓ and would consult with DWD to review all of the evidence around that in detail. Australian Labor Party Conscience Vote: NSW Labor’s current position is to allow Members of Parliament a conscience vote on the matter. ✘ The position of the lead candidate Tara Moriarty is currently unknown. ? National Party No Response: However, The Nationals MPs were given a conscience vote on the 2017 NSW Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill. ✘ No Response: However, their lead candidate Niall Blair supported the last NSW Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill in 2017. ? Advance Australia Party Conscience Vote: We do not have a policy on voluntary assisted dying as we haven’t educated ourselves as to the pros and cons ✘ The lead candidate Ray Brown is unable to confirm his position on VAD laws at this time. of it. If we have people elected to parliament then we will engage with people such Dying with Dignity NSW to gain a complete ? understanding of the positives and negatives of Voluntary Assisted Dying. Flux Party NO RESPONSE ✘ The lead candidate Max Kaye believes that the Flux Party’s unique system for supporting or opposing proposed legislation would mean that their candidates are likely to support VAD laws ? The Small Business Conscience Vote: The Small Business Party’s current position is to allow Members of Parliament a conscience vote on the matter. ✘ No Response. However, the lead candidate Angela Vithoulkas has expressed conditional Party support in the past. ? Pauline Hanson’s One NO RESPONSE ✘ No Response: The position of the lead candidate Mark Latham is unknown. In a recent media Nation report Mark indicated that he used to support VAD but he is currently rethinking his position. ? Liberal Party of NO RESPONSE ✘ No Response: However, their lead candidate Catherine Cusack did oppose the last NSW Australia Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill in 2017. ? Shooters, Fishers and NO RESPONSE ✘ The lead candidate Mark Banasiak will not vote for VAD laws in NSW. ✘ Farmers Party Australian No. “In our support for Judeo Christian ethics as a foundation for much of western civilization and valuing the human life, we would not ✘ The lead candidate Greg Walsh will NOT vote for VAD laws in NSW. ✘ Conservatives be keen to allow legislation which makes it easier for doctors to do harm and risk the lives of Australians. with too many unintended consequences, our preference is to support an extension of effective palliative care services and further research in this area. Christian Democratic No. Statement: “No to euthanasia” ✘ The lead candidate Paul Green will NOT vote for VAD laws in NSW. ✘ Party (Fred Nile Group).