Go Gentle Australia published its Summer 2020 Newsletter. There have been significant advances in Australia and overseas, most notably the passage of Western Australia’s Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill. Read more….
Summer 2020
Hello WF member,
It’s not often we get to start a year on such a high; the passage of Western Australia’s Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill has bolstered morale across the country for assisted dying law reform in other states and territories.
The WA success now informs campaigns for change in Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania, with the latter looking to introduce a private member’s VAD bill in August.
In South Australia, the joint select committee inquiry into end of life choices is due to hand down its final report soon, while in Queensland, the parliamentary committee’s inquiry is due to release its findings by the end of March.
Tanya Battel, a Queenslander living with terminal breast cancer, has launched an online petition urging the Premier Anastasia Palaszczuk to commit to introducing a bill before the election, due in October. It has so far collected more than 30k signatures – if you haven’t already, we urge you to add your name.
For Go Gentle Australia, the new year presents an opportunity to shift focus somewhat. While we will continue to support individuals and groups campaigning for VAD law reform, much of our effort this year will be on research and creating educational materials.
Once again, thank you to everyone who did so much last year. Our inaugural Annual Report encapsulates what is possible when people unite in a common cause. You can find a copy here.
None of what we achieved together last year would have been possible without your financial support. If you are able, please consider making a one-off donation – or even better, become a regular giver – to help us continue our work.
With heartfelt thanks,
Kiki Paul
CEO
P.S. Help us solve a mystery! Every month we receive a donation into our bank account with no name, no location, but with the following description: t-f$10MonthlytoGnt TM BANK.
We’d love to say ‘thank you’ to someone but who? Is it you? To claim the credit, you must be able to say what day of the month the transfer is made. Email us at contact@gogentleaustralia.org.au
Voluntary Assisted Dying in Australia: Where to Next?
With three more Australian states looking to follow the lead of Victoria and Western Australia and introduce assisted dying laws, 2020 is shaping up as a pivotal year for more compassionate end-of-life choices.
8 solid reasons why all Australian states must pass VAD laws
An overwhelming majority of Australians say they want lawful Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD), yet our parliaments continue to lag behind the will of the people.
Here are eight compelling reasons why all states and territories must accede to the needs and wishes of their constituents and pass safe and workable VAD laws.
Victoria announces expansion of VAD navigator service
There is some welcome news for those seeking assistance to navigate the VAD process in Victoria.
The Department of Health and Human Services has announced the expansion of the Statewide Voluntary Assisted Dying Care Navigator Service into Victorian regions.
The navigators were established initially at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne to provide VAD information and support to the community, health practitioners and services. Now, navigators can be found at health services in each Victorian region (Barwon, Gippsland, Grampians, Hume and Loddon Mallee).
The Care Navigators can be contacted during business hours via:
- Phone: (03) 8559 5823
- Mobile: 0436 848 344
- Email: vadcarenavigator@petermac.org
Go Gentle Australia’s 2019 Annual Report
2019 was a year to remember. Read about the achievements in our first-ever Annual Report.
GGA Profile: Diane Gray, Tasmania
“Sit with me during the last few days of my life, look me in the eyes, deny me the ending of my suffering while my withered away body convulses in pain… there is nothing humane about this ending.”
