Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2021

Strongly supported the bill based on personal experience with her grandfather's terminal cancer and mother's palliative care nursing career, arguing that terminally ill people should have choice and dignity over the timing of their death.

“Fundamentally, I believe that terminally ill people should be able to choose the way they depart this world.”— 2021-09-15View Hansard

As bill mover and Deputy Premier, strongly advocated for the legislation as providing choice and autonomy for dying Queenslanders, emphasising it complements palliative care.

“No-one should be forced to die in pain or alone. Why make a rational adult who is begging to die quickly die slowly instead?”— 2021-09-14View Hansard

Introduced the bill as Premier, describing it as fundamentally about compassion, choice, and giving Queenslanders facing terminal illness autonomy over their end of life. Emphasised the extensive consultation process and safeguards built into the scheme.

“This bill is fundamentally about people—people who are going through the deeply personal experience of dealing with dying and death and their loved ones who are supporting them through what is a very difficult time.”— 2021-05-25View Hansard

As Deputy Premier, summed up the second reading debate expressing deep pride in the bill, thanking stakeholders and advocates including Clem Jones Trust, and dedicating the bill to Queenslanders who died before seeing these laws debated.

“If members believe in respecting the wishes of people who are suffering and dying and want to have an additional end-of-life choice then they should vote in favour of this bill.”— 2021-09-15View Hansard

Supported the bill based on liberal principles of individual freedom and autonomy, noting 88% of his electorate survey respondents supported VAD. Found the bill properly balances competing rights.

“If dying is a part of life, as it undoubtedly is, then the ability for people who have a terminal disease and the capacity to do so—to choose how they die and when they die—is part of what is involved in taking responsibility for their lives.”— 2021-09-14View Hansard

As committee chair who oversaw three years of inquiry work, strongly supported the bill to give terminally ill Queenslanders choice to end suffering with dignity.

“By passing this bill, we will finally give those suffering a terminal illness in Queensland the choice to go out on their own terms with dignity, to end the misery and the awful, intolerable, needless suffering.”— 2021-09-14View Hansard

Supported the principle of choice but expressed serious concerns about freedom of conscientious objection for entities and inadequate palliative care funding in rural/remote areas.

“Today I rise to fundamentally support the principle of choice. I have wrestled with this at length over the past three months. While choice is afforded to those who are suffering, and I believe that is an important principle, I am concerned that that same freedom of choice is not extended to entities.”— 2021-09-14View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill after three years on the committee, giving voice to community members who shared their experiences of suffering at end of life.

“Therein lies the importance of this bill. It is voluntary. It is safe and offers choice. It also offers great comfort.”— 2021-09-14View Hansard

Opposed the bill in dissenting report, arguing it is not safe, creates unacceptable risks, and is opposed by major medical authorities including the World Medical Assembly and Australian Medical Association.

“I formed the view that this bill is not safe, it is not good law, it does not solve the critical issues of end of life and creates a range of unacceptable outcomes, risks and dangers, now and into the future.”— 2021-09-14View Hansard

Supported the bill as carefully crafted legislation that would give Queensland the best VAD scheme in Australia, emphasising the importance of listening to dying people's voices.

“In the two parliamentary inquiries not one witness came before either committee to say, 'As a dying person I do not believe Queenslanders should have a choice at end of life.'”— 2021-09-14View Hansard

Opposed the bill citing concerns about pressure on vulnerable people, erosion of safeguards over time as seen in Canada, and inadequate palliative care funding.

“No matter how many safeguards you put in this bill, all of our vulnerable groups will inevitably feel extraordinary internal pressure to opt for assisted dying when a choice is presented to them.”— 2021-09-14View Hansard

Opposed the bill and moved amendment to delay until palliative care is adequately funded, arguing the legislation creates inequity between wealthy urban residents and poor rural Queenslanders.

“A hypothetical Mrs Smith from Burketown is not going to face the same end-of-life decisions as a hypothetical Mrs Smith who lives in the middle of Ascot with private health care and has regular visits from her surgeon and a nice palliative care unit.”— 2021-09-14View Hansard

Supported the KAP amendment to delay the bill until $275 million extra is committed to palliative care, arguing the legislation opens the door to assisted suicide for those who cannot access reasonable palliative care.

“Palliative care is completely underfunded across Queensland. We seek to stop the debate today on legislation that will essentially open the door to assisted suicide for people who cannot afford or cannot access reasonable palliative care.”— 2021-09-14View Hansard

Supported the KAP amendment and opposed the bill, arguing there is an absolute lack of palliative care funding in rural, regional and remote communities.

“If this government were serious with respect to the legislation that is before the House, there would be a universal service obligation—a mandated process within government—to ensure that many people in rural and remote communities across Queensland have access to multidisciplinary, evidence based care.”— 2021-09-14View Hansard

As Leader of the House, moved to put the question on the KAP amendment, arguing the public deserves this debate after three years of consultation and should not be denied by further delays.

“This amendment is saying to the people of Queensland, 'Sorry, we're going to put this on hold while we do further work on palliative care because more money needs to be put into the system.'”— 2021-09-14View Hansard

Opposed the bill based on Christian faith regarding sanctity of life, and concerns from medical experts including 19 past AMA presidents about deficiencies in the legislation.

“The teachings of Christ and God also talk about the sanctity of life and that we as humans are created in the image of our maker, God. That implies that all human life is sacred.”— 2021-09-14View Hansard

Supported the legislation believing there is no dignity in suffering, and people should have the option to leave this life if their suffering cannot be eased.

“I do not believe there is dignity in suffering. I do not believe that we should allow ongoing suffering and pain. If we can offer great comfort through quality palliative care, we should do our very best, but if we cannot, we need to give people the option to leave this life.”— 2021-09-14View Hansard

Gave wholehearted support to the bill, emphasising it empowers terminally ill patients to determine their own suffering threshold and provides sufficient safeguards.

“This bill will not usher in a single extra death in Queensland and, in another sign of the very sensitive and civilised nature of bills of this type, we know that from the experiences in Victoria, and also the US state of Oregon, approximately a third of all people who step through every part of an assisted dying process will not take the final step.”— 2021-09-14View Hansard

Acknowledged personal experiences with family deaths who fought to the end, expressed concerns about vulnerable people and coercion, but noted 80% of his electorate supported debate on VAD.

“At the end of this debate, I will vote with my head but with my heart at the centre of my decision.”— 2021-09-14View Hansard

Supported the legislation noting majority community support and the thorough consultation process over 18 months through committee inquiries.

“Polling from February 2020 found 77 per cent of Queenslanders supported laws that would allow voluntary assisted dying in circumstances where a person in the late stages of an advanced disease was able to take life-ending medication prescribed by a doctor.”— 2021-09-14View Hansard

Opposed the bill arguing it fundamentally changes the state's duty to protect life and the patient-doctor relationship, and conflicts with religious rights protected under the Human Rights Bill.

“This bill, if passed, will affect all Queenslanders and will change forever the fundamental duty of the state to protect the inalienable right of Queenslanders to life and to the security of their person.”— 2021-09-14View Hansard

Expressed deep support for the bill, believing people who are terminally ill deserve the right to choose their end-of-life journey with dignity.

“Put very simply, this bill for me is about giving all Queenslanders the freedom of choice. We are indeed blessed if we and those we love never have to make this very personal choice about how we pass.”— 2021-09-14View Hansard

Opposed the bill citing concerns about lack of true conscientious objection for practitioners and entities, and that the bill allows euthanasia for people not in pain but in mental distress without mental health consultation.

“Under this bill, to be eligible for euthanasia in Queensland does not require someone to be in pain. Pain is not mentioned until page 67 of this bill.”— 2021-09-14View Hansard

Supported the bill as reflecting majority community views that terminally ill Queenslanders deserve choice about how, when and where they die.

“Once a fellow Queenslander reaches the point where their death is inevitable and imminent and their suffering is intolerable, they deserve choice about how, when and where they die.”— 2021-09-14View Hansard

As a nurse of 40 years, supported the bill despite reservations about institutional conscientious objection, sharing personal stories of patients who suffered bad deaths.

“This bill is not about a choice between life and death. That fate has already been determined. This will not cause a single extra death; it will just ensure less suffering.”— 2021-09-14View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill sharing story of friend who advocated for dying with dignity, and emphasising the 168 Queenslanders who died by suicide due to terminal conditions in one year.

“Every member in this chamber has the power here this week to give people like John control over how they choose to die.”— 2021-09-14View Hansard

Supported the bill based on his belief in individual choice, noting 72% of electorate respondents supported VAD. Acknowledged the bill is not perfect but will support amendments.

“I believe in the right of people to make their own choices in life. Regardless of whether or not I agree with them, they have the right to their own opinion and their own choices.”— 2021-09-14View Hansard

Supported the bill straightforwardly, believing Queenslanders nearing end of life should have greater choice with adequate safeguards to protect the vulnerable.

“This is very straightforward for me. Queenslanders nearing the end of their life should have greater choice about how, when and where they die.”— 2021-09-14View Hansard

Opposed the bill arguing it is not safe, does not protect the vulnerable from malicious pressure or depression, and has weak safeguards.

“As lawmakers, we are responsible for ensuring that legislation is safe and that it protects the vulnerable. This bill is not safe.”— 2021-09-14View Hansard

Supported the bill based on liberal values of freedom, agency and choice, and John Stuart Mill's principle of individual self-determination. Acknowledged concerns about conscientious objection provisions.

“This bill is about an individual's right to exercise control over the last decision they will probably ever make. This bill is about choice. This bill is about freedom. This bill is about agency.”— 2021-09-14View Hansard

Supported the bill after extensive consultation and reflection on his father's death from cancer, believing in giving people choice at end of life.

“How do I as an individual come to the decision I must provide in representing the people of the Hervey Bay electorate? How have I come to that decision?”— 2021-09-14View Hansard

Opposed the bill based on correspondence from overwhelming majority of constituents, concerns about pressure on vulnerable people, and inadequate palliative care in regional Queensland.

“Once the bridge is crossed, there will be irreversible change—change in the ethics of doctors, in hospitals, in healthcare workers and, for some, in their own family home.”— 2021-09-14View Hansard

Supported the bill as robust, compassionate, and evidence-based legislation that addresses access issues in regional areas while maintaining proper safeguards.

“Each year more than 20,000 Queenslanders die from life-limiting conditions. Queenslanders suffering with terminal conditions deserve to be able to consider this choice if it is the right choice for them.”— 2021-09-14View Hansard

Opposed the bill based on sanctity of life, concerns about elder abuse and coercion of vulnerable people, and inadequate palliative care access in regional Queensland.

“I believe this bill goes against the single value that every civilisation has held as the highest since the beginning of time—no matter what religion, or no religion, that they follow—that is, the sanctity of life.”— 2021-09-14View Hansard

Supported the bill noting 82% community support in his electorate, sharing a personal story of a friend who begged to have his suffering ended.

“I said to him one day, 'If you had your choice, what would you do?' He said, 'If I could get hold of a gun, it would be all over in 10 seconds.' That is what this bill will stop.”— 2021-09-14View Hansard

Supported the main thrust of the bill to enable state approval for terminally ill patients to end suffering, while opposing provisions compelling institutions philosophically opposed to participate.

“I do support the main thrust of the bill, and that is to enable the state to approve the use of suicide by a patient with a terminal illness who cannot, for reasons known only to themselves, bear the proposition that they might endure a painful and lingering death.”— 2021-09-14View Hansard

Supported the bill citing overwhelming community support (10 to 1 ratio), confidence in the QLRC's legal work, and personal experience losing loved ones to cancer who wished for choice.

“If she could have had the option to have us all there while she slipped away and left the pain behind, I know she would have.”— 2021-09-14View Hansard

Opposed the bill as dangerous legislation that will be abused, citing lack of palliative care in rural areas meaning those in remote communities will have VAD as their only option.

“If this bill passes, those living in remote areas will have the option of assisted dying but will not have access to the option of assisted living.”— 2021-09-14View Hansard

Supported the bill, noting strong electorate support (688 yes vs 36 no in Facebook poll) and family experience voting for similar legislation in New Zealand.

“Queenslanders nearing the end of their life should have greater choice about how, when and where they die.”— 2021-09-14View Hansard

Opposed the bill citing significant flaws including inadequate protections for conscientious objectors, institutions, and vulnerable people who lack equal access to palliative care.

“If the palliative care that is available to them, such as in places that I represent, is inferior to what others in Queensland might receive, it follows naturally that they would be more likely as a group to elect to take voluntary assisted dying.”— 2021-09-14View Hansard