Terminally-ill man becomes the first person in Western Australia to use the state’s voluntary assisted dying laws to end his life

A first person has used Western Australia's new voluntary assisted dying laws
Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan says it's a historic moment for state
WA's new laws came into effect this month becoming second state to activate it
It is expected that 60 people will peacefully end their lives in the next 12 months

Published: 05:37 BST, 29 July 2021 | Updated: 05:37 BST, 29 July 2021

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Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan says a first person has used the state's newly activated assisted dying laws.

The first person has used Western Australia's new voluntary assisted dying laws to end their life in what Premier Mark McGowan says is a historic moment for the state.

The person has not been identified and the family is asking for privacy.

"We passed these laws so terminally ill Western Australians, who are suffering, could have the compassionate choice to end their lives with dignity," Mr McGowan said on Thursday.

Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan says it is a historic moment for the state as a terminally ill man becomes the first person to use the state's new voluntary assisted dying laws

"I can only imagine what an emotional time it must have been for the person involved and their loved ones.

"Death is a difficult issue, and we don't like thinking about what the end of our lives may look like."

WA's new laws came into effect this month, with about 60 people expected to peacefully end their own lives within the next 12 months.

The state was the second after Victoria to activate voluntary assisted dying though new laws were recently passed by the South Australian and Tasmanian parliaments.

Under the WA scheme, terminally ill adults in pain and likely to have less than six months to live - or one year if they have a neurodegenerative condition - will be able to take a drug to end their lives if approved by two medical practitioners.

Mr McGowan said he was sure many people would find comfort in the fact they nor their loved ones would be forced to suffer needlessly at the end of their lives.

"That is why so many Western Australians fought so hard for so long to bring about these laws, and why the WA community supported them so emphatically," he said.