Page 407 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 21 March 2023
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and ensure that the ACT’s laws on voluntary assisted dying reflect the principles of dignity, respect, choice and the protection of vulnerable people.
I thank the disability, seniors, mental health and carers community and stakeholders for engaging with the government on this work, and encourage everyone to engage in this consultation process. Your views and feedback are valuable and essential. The consultation process is accessible in various forms, including in easy English, as well as other languages. If you need any additional supports to engage in the consultation process, please let us know and we will do what we can to support you.
I also thank Minister Cheyne for how she has gone about this work, for engaging with me on the consultation process and asking how and who in the disability, seniors and carers community should be closely consulted, and for being so welcoming of early feedback. I have received positive feedback from disability, seniors and carer stakeholders on how they have been consulted on this process to date.
I know that there are many in the community who have concerns about this issue, particularly people with disability, older people, people with mental illness and carers. I read the messages you send in and I hear about the phone conversations you have had with my office. I am listening, and what I am hearing is concern for your safety or for the safety of people you love. We all want laws that protect the most vulnerable in our community, and that is helped by ensuring that your views on these risks are heard during the consultation process.
It is important to recognise that there are diverse views in the community on this matter. Ultimately, people should have the right to make decisions for themselves, at the right time, and to be well informed about their options and supported to make their own choices. We are still in the consultation stages, so I will not say much more, other than to encourage people to engage in the consultation process. If you find any of this information distressing or uncomfortable, support is available. You can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, or Griefline on 1300 845 745.
As the minister responsible for the disability, seniors, carers and mental health portfolios, I want the community to know that I will continue to advocate strongly for you, not only in this area of voluntary assisted dying but to ensure that you receive the supports you need to live a good life now and into the future. This includes working alongside people with disability to get our NDIS and other disability supports working for you and to provide you with choice and control. It means continuing to work to ensure that our older community, carers and people experiencing mental illness receive the supports and services you need. It means ensuring that we increase the range of palliative care services available in the ACT to provide the best possible end of life care. Thank you.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Justice and Community Safety—Standing Committee
Scrutiny report 26
MR CAIN (Ginninderra) (10.55): I present the following report:
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