Bill to crush VAD access rejected in NSW
A private member’s bill that tried to restrict access to voluntary assisted dying (VAD) for people living in aged care has been defeated.
The Voluntary Assisted Dying Amendment (Residential Facilities) Bill 2025, put forward by end-of-life choice opponent Susan Carter MLC, was rejected in the NSW Upper House 23 votes to 16.
Politicians from across the political spectrum joined forces to vote down the legislation at the second reading.
Go Gentle Australia’s CEO Dr Linda Swan applauded the majority of NSW MLCs who voted for common sense and compassion.
“This bill was an outright attack on the rights of dying people in the name of religious freedom," Dr Swan said.
“It was heartless and divisive and had the potential to inflict terrible harm on some of our most vulnerable citizens.
“Forcing elderly people to transfer to another facility at the end of their life to access VAD is contrary to good medical and clinical practice. It is also at odds with the rights framework set out in the federal Aged Care Act.
“It should never have seen the light of day.”
Widespread opposition
The bill was condemned by the state's most influential health, legal and seniors’ rights groups, who signed a joint statement urging NSW MPs to reject it.
Spearheaded by Go Gentle and Dying with Dignity NSW, signatories of the statement included the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF), Australian Paramedics Association, COTA NSW, Seniors Rights Service and the Australian Lawyers Alliance.
ANMF representative Katrina Bough said the bill’s drafting so soon after widespread abuses were uncovered by the aged care royal commission was disappointing. “Forcing people at the end of life to transfer is just another form of abuse,” she said.
Paramedics’ union president Brett Simpson said his members were outraged the bill had been brought before parliament. “Terminally ill people are some of the most vulnerable people in the community that paramedics care for," he said.
“The thought of having to load them into ambulances and move them around whilst they are in pain and at the end of their life is shameful.”
Vigilance needed
While the outcome of the vote was heartening, Dr Swan warned NSW residents against complacency.
“The fact the bill existed at all proves the fight is never over to protect our hard-won VAD laws," Dr Swan said.
“Next year there will be a review of the VAD Act in NSW.
"We will stay vigilant.”