Voluntary Assisted Dying

The Hon. H.M. GIROLAMO (15:06): Supplementary question: is the Attorney confident that patients have access to sufficient palliative care both here and in the regions to ensure that they don't feel like they have no other option other than voluntary assisted dying?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (15:06): I am not aware of any evidence that has pointed to the fact that people are choosing voluntary assisted dying for the reason that they don't think their care is adequate. In all the evidence that I have read around Australia where legislation has now passed—and I think by the end of this year it will be available in every single state—is that people choose voluntary assisted dying in order to die with the dignity with which they have lived their lives.