First person uses WA's Assisted Dying law
Premier Mark McGowan says he's been advised that the first person has made use of Western Australia's Voluntary Assisted Dying law.
Premier McGowan made the announcement on his Facebook page. "We have been advised that the first person has made use of WA’s Voluntary Assisted Dying laws - a historic moment for our state.
"We passed these laws so terminally ill Western Australians, who are suffering, could have the compassionate choice to end their lives with dignity.
"Understandably, this person and their family have chosen to do this privately.
"We must all respect that choice, just as we respect the individual’s choice to use these laws to end their suffering.
"I can only imagine what an emotional time it must have been for the person involved and their loved ones.
"Death is a difficult issue, and we don't like thinking about what the end of our lives may look like.
"I am sure many will find comfort in the fact these laws mean neither they nor their loved ones will be forced to suffer needlessly at the end of their lives.
"That is why so many Western Australians fought so hard for so long to bring about these laws, and why the WA community supported them so emphatically."
WA's assisted dying law was passed in December 2019. It came into effect on 1 July 2021 after an 18-month implementation period.
Under the law, a person must be suffering from a medical condition that is advanced, progressive and is expected to cause death within six months, or within 12 months in the case of neurodegenerative disease.
They need to make three requests for a voluntary assisted death and two doctors who have completed mandatory training must independently assess the patient's eligibility.