Perth Voice Interactive

FREMANTLE-based lawyer and long-time advocate for voluntary assisted dying (VAD), Steve Walker, has launched a blistering attack on the Labor government’s review of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act, calling it a “sham” and “dishonest.”

Mr Walker, who has spent more than a decade campaigning for improvements to VAD legislation, is now running for the Legislative Council in the upcoming state election. His primary platform: to push for legislative amendments that would allow greater access to VAD, particularly for those suffering from neurodegenerative conditions like dementia.

“We now have voluntary assisted dying laws, but they do fall a bit short,” Mr Walker said. 

“It was a very narrow and conservative bill, even though [current health minister] Amber Jade Sanderson’s cross-party committee recommended a much more liberal law. But behind closed doors, what came out? A very conservative one. 

“Our supporters were just aghast when this review late last year was a complete sham and so dishonest.”

Mr Walker argues the recent review of the Act, required by law, failed to engage with key issues or consider legislative amendments. 

He said when he met Ms Sanderson in 2022, after she’d taken up the health portfolio in the Cook government, she had expressed an unwillingness to look into amendments to the Act.

“The Act requires a report into the ‘operation and effectiveness’ of the Act. How can you do a report into the effectiveness of the Act unless you look at other models and changes that are being made, especially within Australia and overseas?”

Mr Walker contends the terms of reference for the review were deliberately framed to prevent recommendations for change. 

“She said that the review is not seeking submissions on those things. We nevertheless put in our written submissions arguing for possible changes – the six months, 12 months requirement, removing it altogether, or at least relaxing it and allowing for those with dementia to access it by means of an advanced health directive. 

“It is not a simple or easy thing, but it can be done, and is done right now in Quebec, in Canada.”

Mr Walker, who stepped down as president of Dying with Dignity to maintain independence during his campaign, said the public is outraged at the government’s refusal to engage in meaningful discussion on the issue.

“Well, we are [hearing from people]. They really want it; that’s what we get all the time, very enthusiastically, very strong comments,” he said. 

Mr Walker wants a new Joint Select Committee to be convened to review the Act properly. 

“We wrote to every sitting MP a few weeks ago about this, but heard nothing back from [the premier],” he said. 

“They don’t want to have a bar of it, because their advisers told me on the quiet that they just think there aren’t any votes in it and they don’t want to cause controversy. Well, not good enough. You lose more votes than you gain by pretending it’s not an issue.”

Mr Walker believes even small amendments to the law would make a significant difference. 

“There is no need for a brand new law. No need for anything bold… merely catching up with Canberra, Queensland, Canada, and European nations.”

by STEVE GRANT