Tag: Australia

Advocates of ‘voluntary assisted dying’ vehemently insist it is not suicide

By Michael Cook Such is the stigma surrounding suicide that advocates of “voluntary assisted dying” [VAD] insist vehemently that it is by no means suicide. For instance, Go Gentle Australia, a leading lobby group for VAD, explains in its website’s FAQ that: “People seeking voluntary assisted dying are not suicidal; they don’t want to die but …

Continue reading "Advocates of ‘voluntary assisted dying’ vehemently insist it is not suicide" →

Australian Federal Court rules that assisted suicide is suicide under the criminal code

By Alex Schadenberg, Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition Natassia Chrysanthos reported for the Sydney Morning Herald on November 30, 2023 that Federal Court Justice Wendy Abraham ruled that: voluntary assisted dying was considered suicide under the code, which means doctors could be charged under laws that prohibit using a carriage service – such as telehealth, email or …

Continue reading "Australian Federal Court rules that assisted suicide is suicide under the criminal code" →

Last Australian state finally launches ‘assisted dying’

By Michael Cook As of November 28, eligible people in New South Wales can request “voluntary assisted dying”. NSW was the last Australian state to legalize assisted suicide in May 2022. There was an 18-month implementation period. Two territories (which have a different status in the federation), the Australian Capital Territory, where Canberra is located, and …

Continue reading "Last Australian state finally launches ‘assisted dying’" →

Another jurisdiction in Australia set to legalize ‘assisted dying’

By Michael Cook The Australian Capital Territory [ACT], where the nation’s capital Canberra is located, is a self-governing jurisdiction with about 460,000 people. It is considering “voluntary assisted dying” legislation which could be amongst the most liberal of its kind in the world. ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr described the move as a “historic day” after …

Continue reading "Another jurisdiction in Australia set to legalize ‘assisted dying’" →

South Australian chooses ‘assisted dying’ rather than living in a bureaucratic morass

By Michael Cook A 62-year-old South Australian man chose euthanasia because he found navigating the bureaucracy for end-of-life care too complicated and stressful. Jim Mills was a railway worker living with a partner when he was diagnosed with a brain cancer. Initially he received funding from the NDIS, a national disability scheme. After a while, however, the …

Continue reading "South Australian chooses ‘assisted dying’ rather than living in a bureaucratic morass" →

Western Australia decriminalizes and expands abortion in ‘radical, barbaric’ bill

By Bridget Sielicki  Lawmakers in Western Australia have passed drastic reform laws removing abortion from the criminal code and making it more accessible.  The Abortion Legislation Reform Bill 2023 eliminates a requirement that women undergo mandatory counseling prior to receiving an abortion and it also removes the stipulation that a woman get a doctor’s referral prior to an …

Continue reading "Western Australia decriminalizes and expands abortion in ‘radical, barbaric’ bill" →

Girls under 16 will get abortions without parents knowing if Western Australia law change passes

By Right to Life UK Girls in Western Australia will be able to get an abortion without their parents knowing if a Bill before the state’s Parliament becomes law.  New law to allow abortions without parental notification The current law in Western Australia requires an under-16 year old who is still living at home or is dependent on a …

Continue reading "Girls under 16 will get abortions without parents knowing if Western Australia law change passes" →

Australia’s capital is on track to legalize euthanasia, but activists are already unhappy

By Michael Cook The government of the Australian Capital Territory plans to introduce legislation permitting voluntary assisted dying (VAD) later this year.  The Minister for Human Rights, Tara Cheyne, says that there is strong community support for an “Australian model”. She says that this means a law with strict eligibility criteria, a thorough request process, and an independent …

Continue reading "Australia’s capital is on track to legalize euthanasia, but activists are already unhappy" →

Nick Goiran Makes The Case: No Safe Euthanasia Law

Editor’s note. This article was published by the Care Alliance and reposted at the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition. Western Australia is a state in Australia. Nick Goiran is a long standing Liberal MP. In the lead speech opposing the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2019 which would legalise euthanasia and assisted suicide in Western Australia, the Hon. …

Continue reading "Nick Goiran Makes The Case: No Safe Euthanasia Law" →

Abortion legalised in Australia’s most populous state

By Michael Cook Abortion will be legal everywhere in Australia after the New South Wales Parliament passed a bill decriminalising it. Although the bill sailed through the Upper House by a vote of 26-14, it was bitterly contested. The debate has weakened the authority of the NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, who strongly supported it. Some …

Continue reading "Abortion legalised in Australia’s most populous state" →

Abortion on demand now the law in New South Wales, Australia

By Dave Andrusko When the state of New South Wales legalized abortions for any reason up to 22 weeks and up to birth with the permission of two doctors and a hospital committee, Thursday’s passage means abortion has been removed from the Crimes Act in five of Australia’s six states. Passage of The Reproductive Health …

Continue reading "Abortion on demand now the law in New South Wales, Australia" →

Western Australian Parliament has marathon debate on euthanasia bill.

By Alex Schadenberg, Executive Director – Euthanasia Prevention Coalition ABC News Australia reported that after a 20-hour marathon debate, the Western Australia euthanasia bill only achieved debate on 50 of the 184 clauses in the euthanasia bill. Jacob Kagi, writing for ABC News reported: The all-night sitting wrapped up after 5:00 am on Friday, having …

Continue reading "Western Australian Parliament has marathon debate on euthanasia bill." →