Queenslanders’ petition for compassionate assisted dying

Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) laws have been passed in all Australian states and territories with the exception of the Northern Territory.

Currently VAD availability in Australia is limited to people with a terminal diagnosis, with decision-making capacity and the support of a doctor. However, some Australians believe a review of the eligibility criteria, particularly in regards to decision-making capacity, would not only empower older people but better support families and reduce palliative care stays too.

One Queensland couple have taken the matter into their own hands, petitioning the state government to enact laws that will "allow dignity in passing to a person in palliative care who is no longer responsive" after witnessing the lengthy and traumatic death of a loved one.

Principal petitioner Alan Winter said Compassionate Assisted Dying (CAD) is about offering more people a choice and hopes that Queensland may lead the way nationally with new laws.

"The voluntary assisted dying laws need a real rehash, or some new laws for compassionate assisted dying enacted," Mr Winter said.

"[My wife and I] we've both got our self directive saying ... if we end up in palliative care, and if it's legal by then, we want our life terminated at the time of our choosing, or my wife's choosing, or a medical professional.

"I know it's a huge issue for any medical professional to ... take that step on [someone's] life. But I mean, we don't really let it happen to our animals, but we let it happen to our friends with dementia."

This argument is not new.

Multiple states list 'incurable and irreversible medical conditions' as eligible for VAD access, however, this does not apply to the more than 400,000 Australians currently living with dementia.

In the NT, an Expert Advisory Panel acknowledged a strong desire for access to VAD for persons diagnosed with dementia and supports the development of "specific assessment criteria in the case of people with impaired decision making capacity."

A change to VAD legislation could mean the introduction of advanced care directives, like those used in the Netherlands, whereby a person can choose how they wish to die prior to incapacitation, or nominate a person to make this decision for them when the time comes.

We know that experiencing the death of a loved one can be significantly traumatic for those left behind.

Queensland resident Glenda Hanks' experience with her mother's dementia diagnosis and palliative care left her compelled to resign from a 30 year career in graphic reproduction and retrain to become an aged care advocate. She supports the petition for Compassionate Assisted Dying petition.

"Whilst mum's care was mainly faultless, the great divide between Voluntary Assisted Dying and the palliative care program is vast and confronting," she said.

"This petition supports a compassionate and dignified choice for those who are suffering intolerably and irreversibly, despite receiving the best available palliative care.

"The current legal framework often forces individuals and their families into distressing situations where they must endure prolonged suffering without any recourse to alleviate it.

"This is not only cruel but also denies individuals their fundamental right to autonomy and dignity."

With increasing public demand for a review of VAD laws, state governments will be under pressure to revisit this complex issue.

Queensland residents can support the petition by signing here.

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