Tasmania’s Voluntary Assisted Dying Laws Under Review: ‘Rewards and Challenges’ as Demand Surges by 71%
- Tasmania’s voluntary assisted dying laws are being reviewed to assess their effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.
- The review comes as demand for the service surges by 71% in just one year, with 109 reported assisted deaths.
- Medical practitioners say the laws have been “rewarding” but also highlight the need for better support and resources.
- The review aims to address concerns around access, funding, and the administrative burden on doctors.
For Laura Crick, the memories of her mother Gaye’s final days are etched in her mind forever. Gaye, a former midwife, had been diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer and had accessed Tasmania’s voluntary assisted dying (VAD) scheme.
“Those initial conversations [about VAD] were really difficult and confronting,” Laura recalls. But in the end, it was a decision that brought her family peace and comfort.
Tasmania’s VAD laws came into effect in 2022, and since then, demand has increased significantly. The VAD Commission’s latest annual report shows a 71% increase in the number of first requests made to the regulatory body in 2024-25.
But with this surge in demand comes new challenges. Medical practitioners, while finding the work “rewarding,” are highlighting the need for better support and resources.
The review, led by three experts, aims to assess whether the laws are still operating as intended and identify areas for improvement. One of the key concerns is the administrative and financial burden on doctors.
Meg Creely, President of the Tasmanian branch of the Australian Medical Association, says that while medical practitioners find VAD work rewarding, the costs of maintaining registration and professional indemnity insurance are a significant barrier.
“What we hear from our members is that legal access and practical access are not necessarily the same thing,” Dr. Creely said.
The review also aims to address concerns around access and funding.
The VAD Commission has recommended better utilisation of semi-retired medical practitioners, who could work on a part-time basis but are deterred by the costs of maintaining registration and insurance.
The state government has committed to implementing an online portal to streamline the necessary paperwork filed by practitioners, which is expected to be fully implemented by early next year.
But despite these efforts, there are still significant challenges to overcome.
A provision in the Commonwealth Criminal Code prevents doctors from using phone, video, or email to discuss VAD with patients, making it difficult for regional patients to access the service.
The Tasmanian health minister, Bridget Archer, has expressed support for amending the Criminal Code to remove this limitation.
For Laura Crick, the review is an opportunity to share her family’s experience and broaden the public’s understanding of assisted dying. “These conversations … it’s not just a one-off,” she said.
“They take time … and it’s in a situation where the entire family network is also actively grieving the upcoming loss. So it’s important for people to start talking about it as soon as it’s a possibility.”
Analysis: What This Means for Australia
The review of Tasmania’s VAD laws comes at a critical time, as the country grapples with the complexities of end-of-life care. The surge in demand for VAD services highlights the need for better support and resources for medical practitioners and patients alike.
The review’s findings will have significant implications for the future of VAD in Tasmania and potentially across the country.
Security analysts say that the review’s focus on access and funding will be crucial in ensuring that VAD services are available to those who need them.
“The review is an opportunity to address the challenges and ensure that VAD is accessible to all Australians, regardless of their location or financial situation,” said one analyst.
Law enforcement insiders warn that the review must also consider the potential risks and challenges associated with VAD, including the need for robust safeguards to prevent abuse.
“The review must strike a balance between providing access to VAD and ensuring that the laws are not exploited,” said one insider.
Industry observers believe that the review will have significant implications for the healthcare sector, particularly in terms of resource allocation and funding. “The review will likely lead to increased investment in VAD services and support for medical practitioners,” said one observer.
As the review gets underway, it is clear that the future of VAD in Tasmania and beyond will be shaped by the findings. One thing is certain – the conversation around end-of-life care is far from over.
