The Australian Lawyers Alliance (ALA) has applauded the passing of assisted dying legislation in the NSW Parliament today.
The ALA is a not-for-profit national association of lawyers, academics and other professionals established for the benefit of the community, and community members who have a particular need by reason of youth, age, infirmity or disablement, poverty or social or economic circumstances.
Voluntary assisted dying laws in NSW will now provide much needed clarity and compassion for people with a terminal illness, their families, and the medical professionals who help them to manage their final days, it said in a statement today.
“We are very pleased that this legislation has now passed parliament,” said NSW President, Australian Lawyers Alliance (ALA), Joshua Dale.
“Terminally ill people deserve the right to decide when to end their suffering.”
NSW is the final Australian state to pass voluntary assisted dying legislation.
“Our laws draw on the experience of other states. However, we are not the last jurisdiction in Australia to adopt the policy and we urge the next Federal Government to allow the ACT and Northern Territory to legislate for voluntary assisted dying,” said Mr Dale.
“Enabling eligible individuals to access voluntary assisted dying is consistent with patient-centred care which allows competent patients to make such choices, with safeguards and legal regulation in place.
“The passage of this legislation will provide people with the option to end their lives peacefully.”
