Queenslanders !!! Vic, WA, TAS and now SA have all passed VAD legislation. In September, QLD Parliament will begin its debate as to whether Qlders will have the same end of life options as other states. Many Politicians are still sitting on the fence. 

You can use this link to make a quick submission 

The QLD Law Reform Commission released the draft legislation that will be considered by Politicians. It differs in some respects from other states. Overall, we think it's excellent. It takes into consideration the findings/submissions/evidence presented at the 2019 QLD End of Life Choices Inquiry, the responses from the public to the terms of reference called for by the QLD Law Reform Commission and also considers "learnings" from Victoria where legislation (and its obstacles) have been operating for nearly 2 years. 

We are 24 hours away from the current Public Consultation/Submissions process closing (Friday, 1 July 2021 at 9 am).  Your Submission is so important!!  We need you to let the Parliamentary Health Committee know that you support the "draft legislation" released by the Qld Law Reform Commission.

You can follow this link to complete a quick submission. 

It is important that you confirm you support the draft legislation and/or you can expand and state the following:  

The QLD draft legislation allows for a person (with an incurable/terminal illness) to have a 12 months' life expectancy to be able to access VAD - in other states this is set at 6 months' life expectancy.  We all know suffering starts BEFORE 6 months.  We believe there should be no prognostic timeframes once you are diagnosed with a terminal/incurable disease.  If there does have to be a timeframe then we support the 12 months' timeframe.

Telehealth/access: People in rural, regional areas should have equal access to VAD.  The draft bill needs to address the current Commonwealth prohibition on using Telehealth to discuss Voluntary Assisted Dying (which is charcterised in the Code as suicide).  People who are dying are not well enough to travel miles to see a specialist or doctor.

Healthcare professionals - conscientious objection:  We support the conscientious objection of individuals but we do NOT support "institutional conscientious objection": We don't believe "institutions" (hospitals) have the right to block VAD in their facilities when they are funded by the government!  We believe the focus should be on the individual and not the individual having to find alternative hospitals that allow VAD when they are dying and at their most vulnerable and wish to access VAD.

We believe if someone lives in a nursing home or retirement village that is run by a religious institution - because it is that individual's "home" they should not be blocked from accessing VAD or doctors who might attend "their home" as part of the VAD process based on the ownership of the facility by a religious institution.  

We've waited long enough, Queenslanders.  It's time.