About the event

This seminar is now available as a Webinar Only 

After more than a year of public consultation and weeks of debate in the Legislative Assembly and Council, the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2019 (WA) received Royal Assent on 19 December 2019.

Few pieces of legislation in recent history have generated as much attention and discussion in the WA community as this.  In the lead up to its entry into force next year, it is important for legal practitioners to understand the Act, the changes it implements, and its implications.

This seminar will provide an informative and useful introduction to the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act.

The Attorney-General of Western Australia, Hon. John Quigley MLA, will introduce the Act and discuss some of the issues that led the current State Government to sponsor the legislation.

Malcolm McCusker AC CVO QC will discuss a number of aspects of the Act that are important for legal practitioners to be aware of.  Few are as well placed as Mr McCusker to do this.  He chaired the Ministerial Expert Panel on Voluntary Assisted Dying whose report to Parliament led to the drafting and introduction of the Bill, and he was present advising the Government throughout the debates in both Houses of Parliament.

Fiona Stanton, a barrister at Francis Burt Chambers with particular expertise in medical disciplinary and related matters, will provide commentary on the Act and considerations to be borne in mind by legal practitioners advising in relation to it.

Level: General