To the Editor: Mitchell and colleagues1 state, “Victoria has passed assisted suicide legislation, Western Australia plans to follow suit in 2019”. This statement is not accurate. Victoria passed voluntary assisted dying legislation, titled the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2017. There is no reference to suicide in this legislation. It is important to understand and acknowledge the substantial differences between suicide and voluntary assisted dying:
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- 1. Mitchell GK, Willmott L, White B, et al. A perfect storm: fear of litigation for end of life care. Med J Aust 2019; 210: 441. https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2019/210/10/perfect-storm-fear-litigation-end-life-care
- 2. Swarte NB, van der Lee ML, van der Bom JG, et al. Effects of euthanasia on the bereaved family and friends: a cross sectional study. BMJ 2003; 327: 189.
- 3. Cartwright C. FactCheck Q and A: do 80% of Australians and up to 70% of Catholics and Anglicans support euthanasia laws? The Conversation 2017; 1 May. https://theconversation.com/factcheck-qanda-do-80-of-australians-and-up-to-70-of-catholics-and-anglicans-support-euthanasia-laws-76079; (viewed Dec 2019).
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