Australian states pass euthanasia law
New South Wales has become the latest Australian state to legalize euthanasia.
In Australia, every state in the country has passed “voluntary assistance to the dying” laws, which provide for the help of terminally ill patients to commit suicide. However, voluntary euthanasia is not yet available in NSW – as in other states an 18-month implementation period is needed to establish the details.
According to the law, the choice of euthanasia will be available to an adult (an Australian citizen or someone with a residence permit in the state) who is able to make decisions, and who has advanced and progressive disease that can lead to death in a period of six months to a year.
In NSW, anyone can choose between self-treatment or a power of attorney for a doctor.
Victoria was the first to legalize euthanasia in 2019, followed by Western Australia in 2021. Tasmania, South Australia and Queensland have also passed similar laws, but they are not yet fully enforced.
