Perth, Australia, Sep 24, 2019 / 14:01 pm
The president of the Australian Medical Association (WA) said last week that a West Australian bill to legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia lacks requirements to prevent an "entrepreneurial euthanasia clinic" from being founded in the state.
The Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2019 would allow residents of the state who have a terminal illness and are expected to die within six months, or a neurodegenerative condition and are expected to die within 12 months, to request either assisted suicide or euthanasia.
They must have decision-making capabilities and make the request thrice, including once in writing with two independent witnesses. The bill requires two doctors to provide independent assessments of the patient and the coordinating doctor must provide a final review.
Only those who have been residents of Western Australia for a year or more will be eligible. Patients in remote areas may access doctors via teleconference.