END-OF-LIFE CHOICES (VOLUNTARY ASSISTED DYING) ACT 2021
In 2020, Mike tabled and progressed the End-of-Life Choices (Voluntary Assisted Dying) Bill, through the State Parliament.
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Mike presented the draft Bill at 35 public information forums throughout Tasmania, covering all 29 Local Government areas.
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Mike is still approached to present forums and as of 2024, has delivered 121 forums to various community, college and medical groups and organisations.
The new 2021 Act came into operation in October 2022.
It is not often that private member bills originate in the Upper House, especially one which had failed 3 times previously in the House of Assembly.
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It was a remarkable journey as Mike only had one full time member of staff and the Act was 181 pages - a significant piece of legislation.
The Bill received unanimous support in the Upper House; a world first for the VAD/Euthanasia laws.
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In 2021 Mike was awarded the Rodney Syme Medal by Dying with Dignity Victoria. The award is given in recognition of a distinguished effort by an individual/s in pursuit of the Dying with Dignity cause.
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Mike attended the 2022 World Federation of Right to Die Societies Conference held in Toronto, Canada, where he was 1 of 10 people in the Australia / New Zealand region to receive recognition for his work on the End-of-Life-Choices (Voluntary Assisted Dying) Bill.
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Mike was invited as a guest speaker, to the 2024 World Federation of Right to Die Societies Conference (Dublin, Ireland) held in September. The Conference Program can be viewed below:
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Mike's PowerPoint presentation, "The Tasmanian Journey", given at the Conference below:
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End-of-Life Choices (Voluntary Assisted Dying) Bill 2020 (Bill No 30) - Second Reading
(Video - 1hr 45mins duration)
At the completion of the conference, the following comment was forwarded by a Committee Member of End of Life Ireland:
"I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for your powerful presentation on "The Tasmanian Journey" at the World Federation Right to Die Conference. Your detailed account of the legislative process was both inspiring and insightful, offering valuable lessons for those of us involved in similar work.
I also appreciate your contributions to the panel discussion on "The Impact of Legislation." Your perspective added great depth to the conversation, and I know many attendees, myself included, gained a clearer understanding of the profound effects legislation can have.
It was a real pleasure to meet you face-to-face, and I hope we have the opportunity to connect again in the future. Thank you once more for your time and invaluable contributions to the conference."
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