By Grace Jones | posted on December 12, 2019
THE long road to legalising voluntary euthanasia in Western Australia culminated in a crescendo of applause on Tuesday night after State Parliament made history to pass the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill (VAD), the second of its kind in the country.
Legislation that gives people the right to choose the end of their life in special circumstances has been a controversial topic across the globe.
There are currently six countries, six states in America and now two states in Australia where people at the end of their life can access voluntary euthanasia.
Premier Mark McGowan said in passing the Bill the WA Government had given many members of the community hope.
“This is a remarkable moment for Western Australia and will go down in history as one of the biggest, most important and significant pieces of reform delivered,” he said.
During the final reading of the Bill, the Lower House was required to read and pass 55 amendments the Upper House had added to the Bill after 105 hours of debate.
Health Minister Roger Cook said the amendments largely codified what was already good medical practice or made areas of the legislation explicit what was already implicit.
“The VAD Bill will complement the provision of the high quality care we expect for our elderly patients and those in palliative care,” he said.
“WA and Victoria will be leading the nation on a major social reform, providing compassion and choice for people at end of life.”
The approved laws will take effect following an 18-month implementation phase and formation of an implementation panel to oversee the development of clinical guidance, medication protocols and training for participating health practitioners.
Albany Community Hospice (ACH) is one facility in the region people requiring palliative care can access, with the organisation accepting more than 200 admissions per year. Approximately 60 per cent of patients die at the Hospice.
Hospice Chair Jane Mouritz said on behalf of the ACH that they placed a large importance on patients feeling safe and to neither hasten nor prolong death.
“In light of the legislative changes regarding VAD, Albany Community Hospice will be undertaking extensive consultation and review of our position on this matter,” she said.
One of the 55 amendments passed, clause 9A, now prohibits health care workers initiating the discussion about VAD unless they are a medical practitioner or nurse practitioner and that they do so while also discussing all treatment and palliative care options.
