Following extensive debate and discussion, the Voluntary
Assisted Dying Act 2017 (the Act) was passed on 28 November
2017, making Victoria the first state in Australia to allow
voluntary euthanasia as a means for terminally ill people to
legally end their own lives. It is expected to come into force in
2019.
The Act specifies that voluntary assisted dying will only be
available to Victorian residents over the age of 18 and who:
- are diagnosed with an illness that "causes suffering that
cannot be relieved in a manner that is tolerable to the
person"
- have decision-making capacity, and
- have a serious, incurable condition with less than six months
to live.
Despite some opposition, a conscience vote saw the Bill pass
with 47 votes (to 37) in October. The Upper House debated the Bill
in November before it was successfully passed 22 votes to 18. The
Lower House then altered the life expectancy timeframe for eligible
patients from 12 months to six months to live
