A Queensland Parliamentary Committee recently handed down its Report on Voluntary Assisted Dying. Recommendation One of that report was that the Queensland Government should introduce legislation to legalise voluntary assisted dying based on draft legislation submitted to the Committee by Professors Lindy Willmott and Ben White.
The Chair of the Queensland Parliamentary Committee praised the submission, stating:
“The assistance provided by Professors Ben White and Lindy Willmott warrants special acknowledgement. Their depth of knowledge and ability to assist the committee with international experts in countries where voluntary assisted dying has existed for years was of great benefit to the committee during its inquiry. The drafting of their sample Bill and explanatory notes is exemplary and, therefore, the first recommendation in this report is to introduce legislation for a voluntary assisted dying scheme in Queensland based on this sample Bill.”
You can find out more about Professors Willmot and White and their outstanding contribution to legislation reform in Queensland at QUT Law News. For information on the broader impacts of their research visit the end of life law website.
About Ben White
Professor Ben White is an Australian Research Council Future Fellow (Professorial Level, 2020-2023) and a member of the Australian Centre for Health Law Research. His area of research focus is end-of-life decision making with a particular focus on voluntary assisted dying.
Ben’s research has had significant impact leading to changes in law, policy and practice. His work has been adopted by parliaments, courts and tribunals, and law reform commissions and has also influenced State and national end-of-life policy and prompted changes to clinical education in universities, hospitals and health departments.
You can learn more about Ben and his research and publications in his staff profile.
About Lindy Willmott
Professor Lindy Willmott is a member of the Australian Centre for Health Law Research, and publishes extensively in the area of health law. Lindy specialises in end-of-life decision making and guardianship law.
Lindy’s research has had significant impact leading to changes in law, policy and practice. Her work has been adopted by parliaments, courts and tribunals, and law reform commissions and has also influenced State and national end-of-life policy and prompted changes to clinical education in universities, hospitals and health departments.
You can learn more about Lindy and her research and publications in her staff profile.