Media release – Mike Gaffney, MLC, 12 July 2021
End-of-Life Choices (Voluntary Assisted Dying) Act 2021 – Community Forums
Tasmania was the third Australian state to pass Voluntary Assisted Dying legislation and introduced a number of initiatives to improve the Victorian Act. Since its passing South Australia has passed its legislation and bills are ready to be debated in both Queensland and NSW.
MLC Mike Gaffney who introduced the Private Member’s Bill into Tasmania’s Legislative Council last year is now travelling the state again to provide an update on the legislation and where to from here. Individuals are invited to attend the forums even if the forums are not organised as such in your own council area.
QUOTES:
“Giving the opportunity for Tasmanians to attend information forums regarding the End-of-Life Choices (Voluntary Assisted Dying) Act is a very important part of the process.”
“In February 2020, I introduced the draft bill to encourage Tasmanians to become involved in the conversation. Alongside Jac and Nat Gray of Your Choice Tasmania and Dying with Dignity Tasmania, the community was invited to participate and individuals made it clear that they believed that all people deserved the right to choose.”
Community forums have once again been offered to all council areas and so far Glenorchy, Huon Valley, Kingborough, Latrobe, Waratah-Wynyard, Central Coast, Kentish and King Island have all confirmed the desire to coordinate the forums.
The 75 minute sessions conducted by Mr Gaffney will give an overview of what has transpired internationally, nationally and within Tasmania, and will explain the essence of the (now passed) legislation, and provide information on what the VAD Taskforce has been doing since Royal Assent (22 April 2021).
It is envisaged that access to the VAD Process for eligible Tasmanians will begin mid to late 2022.
Mr Gaffney has also recently presented VAD forums to 14 Tasmanian colleges and to the 2021 Youth Parliament delegates.
