Victoria's Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2017

In 2017 Victoria became the first State in Australia to legalise assisted dying. This talk will explore how the arguments for and against assisted dying shaped the legislation and how the process led to it becoming what the Victorian Premier described as the 'safest and most conservative' assisted dying legislation in the world. This discussion will also explore the role of legislative safeguards and the extent to which prescriptive legislation can address ethical concerns and practical risks. 

James Cameron worked as a Senior Legal Policy Officer at the Department of Health and Human Services in Victoria developing new legislation, including the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act. James is currently completing a PhD at the University of Melbourne on withdrawing and withholding life sustaining medical treatment from children.