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Legal situation

In short

In September 2021, Queensland has become the fifth Australian state with a law that regulates voluntary assisted dying. The law will come into effect in January 2023.

Voluntary Assisted Dying Law 2021

The law allows adults who are diagnosed with a terminal illness that will end their life within 12 months, and who are suffering in a way that is intolerable to them, to seek medical assistance to hasten their death. Two independent doctors must assess the eligibility and mental competency of applicants and that they are acting free from coercion.

The law is the result of 12 months of consultation and was supported by two reports: one of the Queensland Law Reform Commission (QLRC) and one of the Queensland Parliamentary Health Committee.
When the bill was introduced Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said: “The bill implements my government’s commitment to introduce a bill into parliament to give people the choice of voluntary assisted dying in Queensland.”

VAD Bill 2021

Two important reports

Th first report was published by the Queensland Law Reform Commission (QLRC) in May 2021.
The second report was published by the Queensland Parliamentary Health Committee in August 2021.
You can read them below:

QLRC Report 2021: A legal framework for voluntary assisted dying
Report No. 10, 57th of the Parliament Health and Environment Committee

Right to Die Societies in Queensland

Dying with Dignity Queensland

 

Christians Supporting Choice for Voluntary Assisted Dying

I want the choice of a peaceful death

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