The catch 22 in the ACT
This advertisement about Dementia appeared in the Canberra Times (page 5) on 8 May 2025
Category: News.
DWD ACT
Minister for Health to be congratulated on commitment to review eligibility for the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act
Sam Delaney, President, Dying with Dignity ACT, said this morning (7 May) ‘Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith is to be congratulated for committing to reviewing eligibility for voluntary assisted dying in the ACT’.
DWDACT Forum Video
A short video clip from Win News about the VAD Forum hosted by DWDACT on 15 April 2025
Forum: Voluntary Assisted Dying and the realities of end-of-life in Canberra’
‘Voluntary Assisted Dying and the realities of end-of-life in Canberra’
A Forum sponsored by Dying with Dignity ACT
Date: Tuesday 15 April 2025 – 10.30 to 12.30
At the Reception Room, Legislative Assembly Building, London Circuit, Civic.
Let’s talk MND with Jane Simpson: Andrew Denton and Jane Morris talk about Motor Neurone Disease
Click here for the youtube video of Andrew Denton, Jane Morris and Jane Simpson discussing Motor Neurone Disease in the context of the limitations of voluntary assisted dying law
VAD Survey of ACT Election Candidates
In early September most of the ACT election candidates who had already registered with the Electoral Commission were emailed a survey questionnaire about their attitude to Voluntary Assisted Dying.
The full report of the survey response is available on the Canberrans for a Good Death website.
Based on the responses, a short Form Guide for Voters was developed, as below.
Survey finds strong VAD support
A YOUGOV survey of 629 Canberrans found strong support for VAD, and very strong support for extending the current VAD legislation to cater for people who were suffering intolerably but were not close to death.
VAD and Dementia
The new VAD legislation from 3 November 2025 will not help people who lose decision-making capacity. The Legislative Assembly has supported a motion to consider this problem. The resolution proposes that the Government report back on possible models by May 2025.
ACT VAD legislation passes
On 5 June 2024 the ACT Legislative Assembly passed the ACT Voluntary Assisted Dying bill. The vote was 20 in favour, 5 against. All Labor and Greens members voted in favour of the bill, along with Opposition Leader Elizabeth Lee, deputy opposition leader Leanne Castley and Liberal members Nicole Lawder…
Consultation – VAD amendments
ACT MLA Dr Marisa Paterson has invited community consultation on her proposed amendments to the Voluntary Assisted Dying bill currently before the Legislative Assembly. She says “I am proposing amendments … seeking to address a critical gap in existing VAD legislation across Australia, where a person loses capacity following the final request…
ACT VAD Bill debated
The bill proposing Voluntary Assisted Dying was debated on Thursday 16 May in the ACT Legislative Assembly. The Canberra Times reported that Labor and Greens members have committed to support the bill. Opposition Leader Elizabeth Lee is quoted as saying “I fundamentally believe that every one of us…
VAD Media Toolkit
About assisted dying Assisted dying, or voluntary assisted dying, is an additional end-of-life choice that provides eligible people who are suffering and dying with the option of asking for medical assistance to end their lives. It is always voluntary and involves strict eligibility criteria and multiple assessments. Voluntary assisted dying…