Queensland

Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 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 Queensland law is similar to all other VAD laws in Australia, which are all modelled on the Victorian VAD Act passed in 2017. Queensland also includes provisions allowing institutional conscientious objection. While the institution can refuse to allow VAD on its premises, it must facilitate alternative arrangements if a patient or resident requests VAD.

Political process

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.”