Voluntary Assisted Dying

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (15:17): Supplementary: of the people who didn't take the substance, were there any issues reported around recovery of the substance?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (15:17): I thank the honourable member for her question, and it's a very good one. Of course, under the scheme that was passed in the last parliament there are very strict controls around the substance. There needs to be a person who—and I just can't remember the term that is used in the legislation—is the person that is responsible for the return of any unused substance.

Of the five from this reporting period who didn't use the substance I will certainly take that on notice and check, but I am not aware of any concerns or problems that have occurred. Certainly, from the first report, and I think as is the case with the second report, there is no evidence that any of the procedures that are outlined to apply in the act haven't been complied with. So I would be pretty sure that the requirements for unused substances have been complied with, but I am happy to check and if that's not the case I will bring back a reply for the honourable member.