Dying With Dignity ACT
Dying With Dignity ACT

About

Dying with Dignity ACT is a non-profit organisation of volunteers committed to law reform to enable ACT citizens to have assistance to die.

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The Law in Canberra

On 5 June 2024 the ACT Parliament enacted Voluntary Assisted Dying in the Australian Capital Territory. The scheme will take effect from 3 November 2025.
 
Information from ACT Health

Latest News

ACT Health Minister’s stance on VAD and dementia

Dying with Dignity ACT has for some time been pressing the Health Minister about the guidelines for VAD practitioners, in the hope that there would be flexibility to allow options for people with dementia who still have mental capacity.

The Minister has responded that "I appreciate your view that the changes you propose to allow access to VAD for people with early stage dementia do not require legislative change and could instead be enacted through clinical guidelines. However, this would represent a major change to the policy underpinning the ACT’s VAD framework that could have ramifications far beyond early access for neurodegenerative conditions, including dementia.

The full text of the Minister's letter can be read here.

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VAD segment on ABC Radio

Roy Harvey from DWDACT interviewed by Georgia Stynes on ABC Radio 666AM on Wednesday, 21 May 2025.
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Consumers should be consulted

The ACT government has, by accident or by design, excluded consumers from involvement in determining who will or will not be able to access VAD when the scheme starts operation in November this year’ says the President of Dying with Dignity ACT, Sam Delaney

Read More "Consumers should be consulted"