To all members of the Legislative Assembly Queensland
The people have spoken
The time is right for Voluntary Assisted Dying
Since November 2018 the bipartisan Queensland Government Health Committee has been seeking Queenslanders views on the questions of providing terminally ill Queenslanders the right to die with dignity through Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD). The Committee conducted consultations across the state including holding 41 hearings and received 4729 submissions on the question. With the views and experiences of submitters and more than 500 witnesses informing the findings and recommendations.
The health committee report, tabled on 31 March 2020 reveals that most Queenslanders are in favour of the new legislation providing a legal avenue to help terminally ill Queenslanders access VAD to die with dignity at a time of their choosing, provided they meet strict eligibility requirements.
Current Queensland laws do not provide a legal avenue for helping terminally ill people to die with dignity.
In summing up the report findings Committee Chair Aaron Harper MP concluded;
“We believe citizens should have the choice to access Voluntary Assisted Dying if they fit the strict eligibility criteria and if this is a choice made by them.”
We agree, but we need the laws to be voted on now, not delayed beyond the election.
The right to die with dignity should not be a political issue.
For too long families have watched loved one’s struggle with end of life care that no longer relieves their pain and suffering.
We urge politicians of all sides to support our campaign to bring the Voluntary Assisted Dying legislation before Queensland parliament with urgency with a view to MPs voting on the proposed legislation before this term of parliament concludes.