UPDATE ON THE VOLUNTARY ASSISTED DYING BILL

The Voluntary Assisted Dying bill has passed the Legislative Assembly this week, after a comprehensive and careful debate. The vote was 52-32.

I want to acknowledge the work in particular of my Independent colleagues, Member for Sydney, Alex Greenwich, and Member for Lake Macquarie, Greg Piper, for the work they have put into the bill.

I successfully put forward an amendment, which includes, in the principles of the bill, equality of access to palliative care, in addition to voluntary assisted dying,  for rural and regional people.

As Mr Greenwich pointed out in accepting my amendment, there has been uniform support throughout the debate for increasing access to palliative care in NSW, especially in regional and rural NSW.

One of my lifelong goals has been to improve rural health care and access to rural health services. I have worked diligently on this and continue to do so.

The Premier has indicated that he will commit to truly making our palliative care the best possible, and it should be equally available to those in rural and remote regions as it is in metropolitan areas. It is fundamental that we keep the Government accountable on this issue.