Controversial changes to NSW VAD laws rejected
Alex Greenwich, who introduced the original VAD legislation in 2021, said, the bill "would have cruelly limited access to voluntary assisted dying in aged care homes".
The NSW Legislative Council has voted 23–16 against a Bill that would have allowed faith-based aged care facilities to decline offering Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) on site.
Members were allowed a conscience vote.
Alex Greenwich, who introduced the original VAD legislation in 2021, said, the bill "would have cruelly limited access to voluntary assisted dying in aged care homes".
The Bill was introduced on 15 October by Liberal MLC Susan Carter. It proposed amendments to the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2022 that would allow religious aged care facilities to refuse access to doctors attending residents for matters related to VAD. However, they would still be required to facilitate a resident’s travel to another location where VAD-related care could occur.
Joshua Rowe, NSW/ACT Director of the Australian Christian Lobby, said the result was deeply disappointing, "Respect for our diversity, especially amongst faith communities, doesn’t finish with mere conversation. Legislators must take action to protect religious freedom."
Also this week, in Victoria parliament passed reforms allowing doctors to initiate conversations about VAD and extending eligibility to those with 12 months to live. The reforms brought Victoria, the first state to legalise VAD, into line with other states.
