WA death debate to intensify as voluntary assisted dying report handed down

Voluntary assisted dying has been a hot topic in WA and across Australia in recent years, with Victoria last month passing legislation allowing certain residents more freedom over how they die.

A Ministerial Expert Panel, chaired by Malcolm McCusker QC, was formed last year to consider the views and opinions of the community.

Over the last 12 months the panel has held public consultations, with 867 people attending the sessions and a further 541 providing written submissions.

The panel's final report has now been handed down and includes 31 recommendations for the proposed legislation, including safeguards over how it is applied.

The state government will now draft legislation in relation to voluntary assisted dying, before MPs are given freedom to vote on the potential new laws.

Premier Mark McGowan said he supported a form of voluntary assisted dying.

"I personally am supportive but it's a conscious vote for every MP and I urge every MP to look at the facts and listen to the arguments," he said.

"It's an important debate and it's raised with me by many people across the community who have had their parents or loved one pass away in agony and they want something done, and that's what this is about.

"This is about ensuring for those people in their last days, weeks or months of life, if they're suffering, they can make their own decision.

"I do hope that all parties allow for a genuinely free vote for their members. We certainly are and I'd urge all parties to vote in accordance to their own beliefs and their own experience."

Health minister Roger Cook said the panel's report was the result of hard work and dedication.

"They have listened to wide-ranging community views on this important and significant issue and have reviewed a broad range of research, both from Australia and overseas," he said.

"There is consistent and widespread community support for voluntary assisted dying reform and the government is committed to ensuring the highest quality end-of-life choices and palliative care for all Western Australians.

"Personally I support the concept of voluntary assisted dying in certain circumstances and with specific safeguards - as such I plan to use my conscience vote to support the legislation."

While the eventual decision will be made by MPs after draft legislation reaches parliament, plenty of lobbying and opinions have been expressed.

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and the Australian Nursing Federation have both released statements suggesting their members are supportive of some sort of legislation.

However, the Australian Medical Association WA, which represents medical practitioners and students, has been a vocal opponent to voluntary assisted dying since the start of the process.

"The AMA is sticking to its guns because it is the medical profession's job to inform the public and politicians of the ethics and the really important things we should be thinking about," president Dr Omar Khorshid said.

"Also, we must consider the practical realities of crossing the line - instead of the medical profession focusing on saving lives and reducing suffering, to introducing this new concept where doctors may actually be ending someone's life.

"The AMA remains very concerned about crossing the line into euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide."

On the other side of the coin, Dying With Dignity WA has been campaigning since 1984 for legislation over end-of-life choices.

"It has been a rigorous process to get to this stage," president Steve Walker said.

"Surveys have consistently shown overwhelming public support for greater choice at the end of life, with well over 80 per cent of Western Australians supporting the introduction of voluntary assisted dying legislation.

"We look forward to seeing legislation introduced into parliament in the latter half of this year and to an open and respectful debate."

The expert panel's final report and more information can be found at health.wa.gov.au/voluntaryassisteddying.