Episode 22 - How the ACT Legalised Voluntary Assisted Dying

ACT Attorney-General Tara Cheyne reflects on the long and complex journey to legalise voluntary assisted dying (VAD) in the ACT, from the overturning of Northern Territory laws in 1997 to the restoration of territory rights in 2022 and the passage of ACT legislation in 2024. She outlines the deliberate, community-led approach taken to design a more compassionate and practical framework, removing rigid prognosis timeframes, enabling open conversations between clinicians and patients, and expanding the role of nurse practitioners.

Ms Cheyne highlights the human impact behind her advocacy, shaped by her father’s end-of-life experience, and argues that VAD should sit alongside palliative care as part of a continuum of choice. She also addresses ongoing challenges, particularly federal restrictions on telehealth, which continue to limit access for vulnerable patients. The conversation underscores the importance of dignity, autonomy and continued reform.

Comprehensive information on Voluntary Assisted Dying in Your State is provided on the Go Gentle website at https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/vad_in_your_state or by contacting your State Health Department.

If listening to this podcast raises distressing issues for you, please contact one of the following support services:

Griefline (https://griefline.org.au/) 1300 845 745

Grief Australia (https://www.grief.org.au/) 1800 642 745

Lifeline (https://www.lifeline.org.au/) 13 11 14, or chat online 24 hours a day

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