Queensland Government to introduce voluntary assisted dying bill
The Queensland Government will introduce a voluntary assisted dying bill into state parliament next week, aimed at patients experiencing health conditions that would cause death within 12 months.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she would support the bill and that government MPs would have a conscience vote.
“These are deeply personal issues and, in fact, having seen firsthand the suffering of both my grandmother and my uncle, it is heart-breaking, and no one wants to see that,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
The announcement comes after the Queensland Law Reform Commission recently handed down a report on the legal framework for voluntary assisted dying, including making recommendations on who should have access to the practice.
Those recommendations include:
- Having an eligible condition that is advanced and progressive and expected to cause death within 12 months
- Have the capacity to make a decision around end-of-life choices
- Be acting voluntarily and without coercion
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident and have been a resident of Queensland for at least a year
Ms Palaszczuk has asked Queenslanders to “look closely” at the report and have a “respectful debate” when discussing the proposed legislation.
