2025-10-28
The Victorian Greens fully support long-awaited reforms to Victoria’s Voluntary Assisted Dying laws this week, while pushing for further reforms to remove final barriers for people who should have the choice for a more compassionate end-of-life option.
The Greens are seeking to fix a requirement that one of the two doctors assessing someone’s eligibility for VAD must be a specialist in the patient’s illness, which has proven to be a huge barrier - especially for people in regional areas.
Dr Sarah Mansfield, the Greens spokesperson for Health and a former GP, introduced a Private Members’ Bill last year after extensive consultation with stakeholders, clinicians, advocates and families affected by flaws in the current legislation.
Dr Mansfield says while many of the Government’s proposed reforms reflect that work, this vital common-sense change - already in place in other states - is still missing and that the Greens would put forward an amendment to advocate for the change.
The Victorian Greens will be supporting the Bill and welcome any progress. Victoria was the first state to introduce VAD laws, but being first meant the scheme was drafted with restrictions which have proven to be unnecessary barriers for many terminally ill people.
Labor and the Liberals will both be given a conscience vote on the legislation, meaning that votes could split differently and the Greens amendments could pass.
Dr Mansfield said allowing GPs with relevant experience to act as assessing practitioners would make the system more accessible and compassionate, particularly for rural and regional Victorians.
Quotes attributable to the Victorian Greens health spokesperson, Dr Sarah Mansfield:
“I had many patients during my time as a doctor who wanted the choice of voluntary assisted dying, but it wasn’t an option for them.
“The Greens will support any step forward in this space and will work constructively to strengthen the reforms. A vital missing piece is fixing the requirement that one of the two assessing doctors must be a specialist in the person’s illness. It’s a serious and unnecessary barrier - especially for people in regional Victoria - and a common-sense change that’s already reflected in other states’ laws.
“GPs who have cared for a patient for years and understand their illness and prognosis should be trusted to make these assessments.
“As more people become eligible under these reforms, we’ll also need to ensure there are enough trained providers to meet demand, so no one is left without support at the end of life."