More than 120 terminally ill Victorians end their lives under landmark laws
Government-sanctioned lethal medication was used to end the lives of 124 terminally ill Victorians in the 12 months since the state's landmark euthanasia laws took effect, far surpassing initial estimates of just 12 people in the first year.
The Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board’s inaugural 12-month report, made public on Tuesday, shows 231 permits to die were issued in the first year of the legislation, and 124 Victorians ended their lives under the laws.
More than 120 terminally ill Victorians have died using government-sanctioned lethal medication in the first 12 months of the state's landmark euthanasia laws.Credit:Jason South
Since the laws came into effect on June 19 last year, 348 people were assessed for eligibility to legally die with assistance, while 272 eligible applicants applied for a permit. Applicants were aged from 32 to 100, with an average age of 71.
Of those who died, 78 per cent had terminal cancer, 15 per cent had a neurodegenerative disease such as motor neurone disease, and 7 per cent had other untreatable diseases including pulmonary fibrosis, cardiomyopathy or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
About 44 per cent of applicants were women, while 55 per cent were men and 1 per cent selected "self-described" as their gender identity.
About 60 per cent of applicants lived in metropolitan areas, while 38 per cent were from regional or rural Victoria.
Former Supreme Court judge Betty King, QC, who chairs the Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board, said that in the past six months access to voluntary assisted dying had become more streamlined.
"There are more doctors on board and essential support services have expanded, especially in regional and rural Victoria," she said.
One application was deemed non-compliant after the board identified an administrative error within the paperwork completed by a medical practitioner.
Although the person was deemed eligible to access the scheme, their death has been referred to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency for review.
Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos said: “Our voluntary assisted dying laws are giving Victorians who are suffering an incurable illness at the end of their lives a compassionate choice.
“This review shows that the system is working as it should – with 68 rigorous safeguards in place, making our model the most conservative system in the world.”
More information on voluntary assisted dying is available here.
If you are troubled by this report or experiencing a personal crisis, call Lifeline on 131 114 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 or visit lifeline.org.au or beyondblue.com.au
More to come.