Saturday's massive endorsement of the Andrews’ Government progressive social policies could not have been more significant for Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) reform in Australia.

With just over a week to go, here's a quick overview of how the Victorian MPs voted on the matter of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2017.

In November 2017, Victoria was the first state to pass Voluntary Assisted Dying legislation, which was the result of a year long enquiry, followed by an Expert Ministerial Advisory Panel and more than 100 hours of parliamentary debate. 

Legislative Assembly - YES

Legislative Assembly - NO

Legislative Council - YES

Legislative Council - NO

Professor Luc Deliens recently joined the QUT (Queensland University of Technology) Faculty of Law's Australian Centre for Health Law Research (ACHLR) to deliver a public lecture on assisted dying and palliative care.

Broadcaster Andrew Denton has urged WA doctors to stand up in support of proposed euthanasia laws.

In Perth to lobby for proposed laws, Denton said support from the medical community had been crucial in getting Victorian laws passed and he hoped to see the same in WA.

On 23 August, the report of the Western Australian Joint Select Committee on End of Life Choices was tabled in both House of Parliament.

This week the Australian Senate will debate a private members' bill that will consider whether to overturn the 21-year-old Euthanasia Laws Act that nullified the ability of Australian self-governing territories to pass legislation in relation to euthanasia and assisted suicide.

Suicide is a tragic result of untreated, reversible diseases such as depression or addiction. Suicidal patients want to end their lives as a result of impaired cognition and deficiencies of impulse control. They are most often alone and may use violent means.The untimely deaths of Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade have shone a spotlight on the suicide crisis our country faces. However, it is important to differentiate the act of committing suicide from medical aid in dying.

Victoria has become the first state in the country to legalise assisted dying for the terminally ill, with MPs voting to give patients the right to request a lethal drug to end their lives from mid-2019.

On 12 October 2017 Dr Brian Owler, Chair of the Victorian Expert Ministerial Advisory Panel, addressed the National Press Club of Australia on the proposed Voluntary Assisted Dying legislation in Victoria.

Today Tonight Adelaide on Channel 7 nails it on how the legislators have failed us on voluntary assisted dying. Watch one woman's story. Astonishing.