Queensland Tables its First Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill

On 25 May 2021, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk delivered on her election promise and introduced the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2021 (the Bill) into the Queensland parliament. This is the first voluntary assisted dying (VAD) legislation to be tabled in Queensland, and follows recent reforms in Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania, and South Australia. The Bill permits eligible individuals to access medication to cause their death at a time of their choosing.The Bill will be debated in parliament in September and subject to a conscience vote. Given the growing number of Australian jurisdictions that have legalised VAD, it appears likely the Bill will pass. However, due to the complex questions surrounding VAD, a key issue for the parliamentary debates is not just whether to legalise VAD, but what form the law will take