Gascoyne residents are invited to attend a public forum in Carnarvon this week to have their say on issues surrounding voluntary assisted dying legislation, due to be introduced into State Parliament later this year.
The Minister for Health and members of the Ministerial Expert Panel on Voluntary Assisted Dying, including chairperson Malcolm McCusker AC QC, will travel to Carnarvon to attend the forum.
The forum will be held at the Carnarvon Motel from 1.30pm-3pm on Thursday, May 23, and follows the March release of a discussion paper by the Ministerial Expert Panel on Voluntary Assisted Dying.
Public forums have already been held around Perth, as well as in Kalgoorlie, Broome, Bunbury and Geraldton.
The McGowan Government extended consultation on the issue due to the high public demand and the success of the consultation to date. Along with Carnarvon, additional forums have also been arranged for the Peel region, Northam and Karratha.
An online session for people in rural and remote areas will also be held tomorrow (May 21).
The purpose of the discussion paper and the consultation is to assist the development of safe, compassionate and workable legislation which has appropriate safeguards for everyone involved.
The arguments for or against voluntary assisted dying will not be debated as part of this process.
Members of the public who cannot attend, can lodge written or online submissions for consideration by the panel before Friday, May 24.
Registration details for the forum, the discussion paper and more information about the planned consultation, webinar session and proposed legislation can be found at http://www.health.wa.gov.au/voluntaryassisteddying
As stated by Health Minister Roger Cook:
"It is important that people across Western Australia are given the opportunity to comment on key issues related to proposed voluntary assisted dying legislation, due to be introduced to State Parliament later this year.
"The public forums held to date have been well attended and have generated thoughtful discussion and feedback which has greatly assisted the Ministerial Expert Panel to understand community views.
"We have made sure as many regional centres as possible have the chance to participate directly in this process, and I encourage people in the Gascoyne community to take this chance to be involved."
