Elise Archer,Attorney-General
Jeremy Rockliff,Minister for Health
Following the passage of The End-of-Life Choices (Voluntary Assisted Dying) Act 2021, the inaugural appointments to the Voluntary Assisted Dying Commission have been announced.
The Commission is jointly appointed by the Attorney-General and Minister for Health, with its primary role to oversee the operation of the Act, and its key responsibilities will include:·
- monitoring and reporting on the operation of the Act;
- providing assistance to persons who want to access voluntary assisted dying;
- issuing authorisations and approvals as required by the Act;
- reviewing applications and decisions as specified within the Act;
- making and approving procedures, policies and guidelines in relation to the operation of voluntary assisted dying, as specified in the Act; and
- communicating concerns about compliance or non-compliance with the Act.
We are pleased to announce that the members of the Commission are:
- Louise Mollross – Executive Commissioner
- Dr Annette Barratt – Deputy Executive Commissioner
- Kim Barker – Member
- Dr David Boadle – Member
- Elizabeth McDonald – Member
- Professor Margaret Otlowski – Member
These members were selected by an independent panel following a public Expressions of Interest process. We are advised there was a strong field to choose from and thank all applicants for their interest in the roles.
Between them, these members provide legal and medical experience as well as the ability to represent the interests of the whole community, and they will work together to support and oversee the operation of voluntary assisted dying in Tasmania in accordance with the law.
The Voluntary Assisted Dying Commission will commence operation in May 2022, to undertake statutory functions required before voluntary assisted dying is operational in Tasmania.
This is a significant step towards having voluntary assisted dying available to Tasmanians by 23 October 2022.
