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

Clarification: WA’s Supreme Court reached out to us this week to point out that Environment minister Reece Whitby had incorrectly pointed the finger at the State Administrative Tribunal for overturning conditions on Garde Hotel, the subject of our story on its noise spat with live music venue Freo.Social (“Fears for live music in hotel spat,” Herald, February 22). The court said the decision was overturned by the relevant Development Assessment Panel “after it had been invited by the Tribunal to do so” – which we pointed out sounded a little Orwellian in its overtones.

In a more straight-out correction, we incorrectly attributed a quote to Bayswater mayor Filomena Piffaretti in our recent yarn about International Women’s Day events, having mistaken someone else’s quote. Our apologies for that mistake.

VISITORS to Bathers Beach will be without a shark net for the end of the warmer months after the City of Fremantle delayed the seasonal installation of its long-awaited beach enclosure until October. 

According to City CEO Glen Dougall, the net’s installation has been delayed due to being next to remnants of the heritage-listed Long Jetty, which means it will need approval from the heritage minister. 

“Given the state government is now in caretaker mode [prior to the election], it’s unlikely a decision would be made in time for deployment this summer,” Mr Dougall said. 

“While best efforts were made to have a protected swimming area at Bathers Beach this summer, the approvals process is thorough and cannot be rushed.” 

The enclosure is seasonal, so installing it only for it to be taken down in April would have cost over $61,000, according to Mr Dougall.  “The City plans to deploy the beach enclosure in early October 2025 for the summer season, and remove it at the end of April 2026,” he said. 

“We apologise for any disappointment caused and hope that the community understands the reasoning for this decision.”

Fremantle Chamber of Commerce CEO Chrissie Maus was stumped the heritage element of the net was not considered before the net was organised, but says the Chamber is satisfied with the City’s reasoning. 

“I just can’t understand how this wasn’t mitigated prior,” Ms Maus said. 

“In terms of the shark net going in later in time for summer, and the postponed deployment saving [the City] money, common sense has prevailed.”

She had previously told the Herald she was prepared to protest on the beach if the City had put up the net for just a month in order to get a couple of publicity shots.

by KATHERINE KRAAYVANGER

VINCENT will have another try getting cat containment through a powerful Upper House committee.

Mayor Alison Xamon successfully moved a notice of motion at this month’s meeting asking the admin to get legal advice on whether the state Cat Act can be interpreted in a way that would allow the council to mandate that cats be kept on an owner’s property, unless under control such as a leash.

Vincent will also request the Cook government to bring forward the review of the Act to enable local governments to implement cat containment laws.

“Cats, particularly feral ones, are known to be predators to various mammals, reptiles and birds in WA,” Ms Xamon said.

“Roaming domestic cats in residential streets and public areas can also pose a risk to not only themselves and other cats but local wildlife and people.

Ms Xamon said there needed to be a uniform law for all household pets.

“Whether you have a cat, dog, miniature pig or rabbit, they should not roam unsupervised in public areas and in neighbours’ backyards,” she said.

Previous attempts have been shut down by the Joint Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation which says the clash with the state Cat Act.

THE music world is in mourning after Easybeats drummer Gordon ‘Snowy’ Fleet recently passed away at his home in Perth aged 85.

Fleet was in the legendary Aussie band during their most successful period from 1964-1967 and played on their biggest hit Friday on My Mind – the first Australian track to break the US top 20 – as well as She’s So Fine, Sorry and Wedding Ring.

Fleet claimed he came up with the band’s name, which was a tribute to The Beatles.

Originally from Liverpool, he played on the same bill as ‘The Fab Four’ in their early years.

The Easybeats were the first Aussie rock band to enjoy global stardom, but by 1967, Fleet was unhappy about spending so much time away from his wife and young kids, so he quit the group.

Construction

He ended up taking over his family’s construction business in Perth, which he ran successfully until his death.

In 2005, Fleet and his son Adam renovated an 1800s house at 59 Hampton Road in Fremantle.

Adam lived there for a while and it features Snowy’s signature in the limestone.

Over the years, Fleet still flirted with the music biz – he ran a rehearsal studio in Jandakot and was part of an Easybeats reunion in 1986 with the original members.

Along with the group, he was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2005 and attended the ceremony.

In 2017 a miniseries about the Easybeats was aired on the ABC with Snowy portrayed by Arthur McBain.

Fleet was nicknamed ‘Snowy’ because of his jet black hair.

He was by far the oldest in the band, so when they became famous, management told the press he was five years younger.

Fleet’s death follows the passing of Easybeats bassist Dick Diamonde in September last year, leaving lead guitarist Harry Vanda as the only surviving member.

Fleet passed away on February 17 and is survived by his wife of more than 60 years Maureen. 

They had three children together.