On 30 November, the ACT Legislative Assembly established a Select Committee to review and report on end of life choices in the ACT. The terms of reference for the Select Committee include inquiring into and reporting on ACT community views on the desirability of voluntary assisted dying being legislated in the ACT. Continue reading

WA Premier Mark McGowan has already publicly declared his support for legalised killing in advance of hearing the results of a parliamentary inquiry into end of life choices, and without seeing any draft legislation anticipated to be introduced to Western Australia’s Parliament this year. Mr McGowan has made his decision, despite the parliamentary committee only being a third of the way through its task, with no legislation before parliament under consideration, and in disregard of the Australian Medical Association’s opposition to euthanasia and assisted suicide. The West Australian reports: Continue reading

With assisted suicide legalised in Victoria and advocates still pushing for its legalisation in other states, you may be wondering what problems lie ahead for Australia when it comes to assisted suicide. Take a look at six problems that the state of Oregon has experienced since assisted suicide became legal 20 years ago: Continue reading

Fabian Stahle, a Swedish citizen concerned about proposals to introduce an assisted suicide law in Sweden based on the Oregon model, decided to go straight to the source to find out just how restricted or how broad the Oregon model really is. Continue reading

A survey of Canadian doctors reveals that the support of medical professionals for assisted suicide drops significantly once the process becomes legal, with most physicians now refusing to participate in the administration of lethal drugs to their patients. Continue reading

In the United States the assisted suicide debate is gaining momentum. As of this year, over twenty states introduced bills to legalise the practice, and despite each bill having been struck down, it appears that the deliberation is far from over. The Hill reports: Continue reading

As New Zealand moves to vote on whether they should legalise assisted dying, a poll has revealed that most do not even understand what is meant by the term. The Curia research poll surveyed people about their views on “assisted dying,” and found that the more strongly that individuals supported it, the more likely they are to be confused about what it actually means. Continue reading

Assisted suicide was legalised in Victoria last month, making it the only jurisdiction in the world to do so in 2017. Not only was the legislation disappointing, but there were also many parts of the process that were expedited and conducted in manner that was not at all appropriate for an issue of life and death. Continue reading

Federal Member for Perth Tim Hammond spoke out against assisted suicide, pointing to the dangers it could lead to and the need for more comprehensive palliative care. Continue reading

In the face of Western Australia’s investigation into end of life choices last week, Australian Medical Association federal president Dr Michal Gannon addressed the state on the topic. Continue reading