THE ACT government has introduced the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2023 into the Legislative Assembly.

Restrictions preventing the ACT and NT from passing laws to allow for voluntary assisted dying were removed in December when the Federal Parliament passed the Restoring Territory Rights Act 2022.

The ACT government’s model provides that an individual will have access to voluntary assisted dying if they:

• are 18 years and older;
• have a condition that is advanced, progressive and expected to cause death;
• are intolerably suffering;
• have lived in the ACT for 12 months or be provided an exemption by demonstrating they have a substantial connection to the ACT;
• are acting voluntarily;
• and have decision-making capacity throughout the process.

The government says all these eligibility requirements must be met.

“As with other jurisdictions, an individual must undergo a multi-step request and assessment process, with the assessment conducted by two independent and suitably qualified, trained and authorised health professionals,” the government says.

The legislation will be subject to an Assembly committee inquiry before it is debated and  will commence 18 months after the legislation passes to allow time to set up processes.

However, the ACT Greens Leader Shane Rattenbury has welcomed the introduction of the legislation, which will guarantee its ultimate passage through the Assembly.

“Giving Canberrans the right to die with dignity has been ACT Greens policy for many years,” he says.

“We want to thank every Canberran who has shared with us their painful personal stories of supporting loved ones through the final weeks, months or years of their life.”

The bill allows for a review of the scheme after three years of operation.

Minister for Human Rights Tara Cheyne says: “We have consulted widely in developing our evidence-based model, which responds to the known issues in other jurisdictions and reflects the ACT’s unique circumstances, together with the Canberra community’s views.

“Ultimately, this is a Bill about people, and choice, autonomy and dignity at the end of their lives.

“I thank every person who has engaged and dedicated their thoughts on this most important of issues.”