The New South Wales statutory review of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2022 is underway and submissions are being invited from the public ahead of the February 27 deadline. Source: The Catholic Weekly.
The review will assess how the law has operated since it commenced in November 2023, including its safeguards, access and protections – including for conscientious objection – for healthcare workers and patients.
NSW Health stressed it is not a discussion on voluntary assisted dying itself.
In a background paper it states the review focuses on “strengthening the model and frameworks that support voluntary assisted dying in NSW and will not examine whether voluntary assisted dying should be precluded”.
The New South Wales statutory review of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2022 is underway and submissions are being invited from the public ahead of the February 27 deadline. Source: The Catholic Weekly.
The review will assess how the law has operated since it commenced in November 2023, including its safeguards, access and protections – including for conscientious objection – for healthcare workers and patients.
NSW Health stressed it is not a discussion on voluntary assisted dying itself.
In a background paper it states the review focuses on “strengthening the model and frameworks that support voluntary assisted dying in NSW and will not examine whether voluntary assisted dying should be precluded”. and the submission by the Sydney Archdiocese will focus on the disproportionate number of VAD deaths in regional areas and the effect of the VAD regime on aged care.
Faith leaders, including Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP, have been staunch critics of the VAD laws.
In a message to supporters in November, the archbishop said the right of faith-based institutions to object to hosting VAD practitioners should “not be controversial” as similar laws apply in Victoria and Tasmania.
“We know many in our community, whatever their beliefs, seek out faith-based aged-care facilities especially because of our view that every human life is sacred,” he wrote.
“Our frail elderly should be given the choice to live out their final days in a place where they know they will be safe from VAD.”
FULL STORY
Statutory review of NSW voluntary assisted dying laws (By Marilyn Rodrigues, The Catholic Weekly)
