The Australian Centre for Health Law Research (ACHLR) hosted their 9th Annual Public Oration on March 29, 2022. This year’s oration, New Voluntary Assisted Dying Legislation, was delivered by Andrew Denton and Justice Peter Applegarth (Judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland and chairperson of the Queensland Law Reform Commission).
You can watch the oration below:
Abstract
Voluntary assisted dying is an important topic that generates strong views. Over recent years, voluntary assisted dying laws have been enacted in five Australian States. Queensland is the most recent state to enact legislation, following an extensive review by the Queensland Law Reform Commission. Why are laws now being passed across Australia despite decades of failed attempts to change the law? In Queensland, what was the process undertaken by the Commission, and what was the basis for its recommendation to permit voluntary assisted dying in some cases? This oration will consider these and other questions through the lens of Andrew Denton who has been involved in reform across Australia, and of Justice Peter Applegarth who chaired this review in Queensland.
Presentations
PDF versions of the presentations are available to download:
Andrew Denton
Andrew Denton is a television and radio producer and presenter. He is the creator of the podcast series Better Off Dead, investigating why people still die bad deaths in Australia. Through his charity, Go Gentle Australia, Andrew has supported voluntary assisted dying law reform across Australia.
Justice Peter Applegarth AM
Peter Applegarth AM is a Judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland. He is a graduate of the law schools at both University of Queensland and Oxford University, and has served on the bench since 2008. Justice Applegarth currently chairs the Queensland Law Reform Commission.
Event photos
