Voluntary Assisted Dying became available to eligible people in NSW on November 28, 2023.

One week later, Gunter Kosmala, who had end-stage Parkinson's, made his first request. 

He was among the first people to access VAD in NSW.

Demand for choice at the end of life remains strong in NSW, with more than 1100 people seeking to access voluntary assisted dying (VAD) in its first seven months, the latest VAD Board report shows.

From 28 November 2023, eligible terminally ill people in NSW will have access to voluntary assisted dying, marking a significant milestone for NSW residents and for Australia as a whole.

Ben White, Queensland University of Technology and Lindy Willmott, Queensland University of Technology

The first Australian Capital Territory voluntary assisted dying bill in more than 25 years was tabled in parliament yesterday.

This was possible after the Commonwealth lifted the ban on territories making laws about assisted dying in December last year. This meant the ACT and Northern Territory could join the six Australian states which have now passed voluntary assisted dying laws.

An Anglican Church directive to aged care homes to actively dissuade residents from seeking voluntary assisted dying is coercion and should be condemned.

NSW doctors join calls to allow the use of telehealth in voluntary assisted dying discussions.

After breaking her back at 53, battling breast cancer for 12 years, and enduring two hip replacements, Liz Holmes was in unbearable pain. All she wanted was the choice to die peacefully and without pain.

Diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer, Siobhan O'Sullivan has a simple message to Upper House MPs: 'Give me the choice not to suffer'.

As a NSW resident, Mark Springer had to travel to Switzerland to die with dignity. His brother David says he is ashamed to live in a state that still refuses to give its citizens the peace of mind of an assisted death.

Linda says he mother Margot's lingering decline from multiple sclerosis was a natural disaster, but the agonising nature of her death was entirely man-made.