Paramedics union president Brett Simpson did not mince words when asked about a NSW bill that would force people out of their aged care homes to seek VAD. "Terminally ill patients are some of the most vulnerable. The thought of having to load them into ambulances and move them around is shameful."

Nurses' union rep Katrina Bough has condemned a NSW bill that seeks to deny people in aged care the right to access VAD. Susan Carter MLC's bill would force dying people seeking the VAD choice to transfer to another facility. "It's simply another form of abuse," Bough said.

17 organisations representing doctors, nurses, paramedics, lawyers and seniors’ rights groups have signed a statement opposing a NSW Bill that seeks to restrict access to voluntary assisted dying (VAD) in aged care. ow.ly/LZAm50XobnZ

Jill Nash, 86, puts NSW Upper House on notice "Any politician who votes for this cruel bill is sending a clear message to the electorate that they care more about the religious freedom of powerful institutions than the rights and well-being of vulnerable residents in their care."👇 ow.ly/YcxI50XmRct

From today, eligible dying people in the ACT can ask for help to end their life. Dr Linda Swan, Go Gentle's CEO, said: "Knowing this choice is available alongside other end-of-life care options will bring relief, comfort and reassurance to dying people and their families." More: ow.ly/QkjF50Xk6hJ

The Victorian govt’s Bill to make the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act fairer and more in-line with other states has passed the Lower House unamended 67 votes to 13. The Bill now moves to the Upper House. Congratulations to all involved for a respectful and courteous debate 🙌👏

Sharyn fondly describes her husband Brett as a 'bogan' with a passion for fast cars, motorbikes and footy. But beyond the adrenaline, Brett was a quiet hero. “His attitude was: you’re going to die - let’s get something good out of this.” www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/a_quiet_hero

Research shows people applying for Assisted Dying express gratitude for: 💜Avoiding suffering & the uncertainty of a painful death 💜Retaining agency in how & when they die 💜A sense of peace, relief & comfort in choosing VAD 💜Compassionate caregivers👇 www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/the_poetry_o...

*BREAKING* The UK Voluntary Assisted Dying bill has passed its 3rd reading in the House of Commons 314 to 291. Congratulations to everyone in the UK who fought so hard and for so long to see this reform become reality. Compassion and common sense have prevailed. Well done 🎉🥂💪💥

Today's vote on the UK's voluntary assisted dying bill will be one of the most consequential votes for social change in a generation. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

Did you see The Power of Choice on The Project? A beautiful exploration of the importance of talking about death and dying and how voluntary assisted dying can be a gift for all involved. 10play.com.au/theproject/n...

And op-ed writer for The New York Times, Ross Douthat, is today railing against the New York legislature that has finally, after years of advocacy, sent the bill to the governor for signature. His angle? Slippery slope. And, he calls it euthanasia. The 600+ comments on that piece are derisory.

Objecting to voluntary assisted dying is one thing. But carelessly – or worse, knowingly – telling lies and spreading misinformation is not OK. This grieving NSW family deserved better. www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/how_anti_vad...

Brett Harrison was one of the first to donate his organs after voluntary assisted dying. Brett, 57, had MND. His gift helped 3 recipients. His wife, Sharyn, said Brett was a "big-hearted person who loved to help others", so it was no surprise he made one last generous gesture.👇 ow.ly/QPjR50W87hE

"It's not about imposing assisted dying on someone; it's about giving them the autonomy to choose it." www.northwaleschronicle.co.uk/news/2522307...

The Northern Territory government says the suffering of terminally ill Territorians "is not a priority". They are wrong. Will you help us pass a NT Voluntary Assisted Dying law? 💪 www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/write_this_l...

Steve from Darwin is dying. He expects his final days to be agonising. In every other state he would be eligible for Voluntary Assisted Dying. But the Northern Territory is dithering on VAD laws. "I just want the choice to go in my own time, without the pain. No mess, no fuss."👇 ow.ly/78Rc50VYzvA

The French have said a big 'oui' to assisted dying, approving President Macron's bill 305 votes to 199. 💪 The bill has no time frames but eligible people must have an advanced, terminal illness. It will now go to the Senate, before a second reading in the National Assembly. ow.ly/n6UF50VZKsS

A beautiful exploration of the importance of talking about death and dying and how it can be a gift for all involved. 10play.com.au/theproject/n...

"We are all eventually going to die. But the people in this book have shown me there is a way to go gently." Another incredible conversation about Voluntary Assisted Dying @sydwritersfest with Julian Kingma, Andrew Denton & Ash Hay🙏. Get your copy 👇 www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/powerofchoice

In Melbourne? Get along to SOL Gallery in Fitzroy on Wednesday 21 May from 6pm for the opening night of The Power of Choice exhibition. Meet Julian Kingma and the Go Gentle team and help us celebrate 🥂

Former ABC correspondent Iain Finlay opted for Voluntary Assisted Dying at his home in northern NSW. His family was by his side. Diagnosed with terminal amyloidosis, which causes difficulties breathing, he was relieved to end his suffering at a time of his choosing surrounded by those he loved.

GET YOUR COPY TODAY 📚 Julian Kingma is one of Aust's best photographers. With forewords by Andrew Denton & Richard Flanagan, The Power of Choice focuses on the people who choose voluntary assisted dying and captures their stories of hope, struggle, courage & acceptance. Order here👇 ow.ly/9ko850Vx6jq

Sue is healthy but adamant that if diagnosed with dementia, she "would rather go quickly". She's included a request for assisted dying in her advance directive, even though this is not legal. VAD for dementia is ethically & legally challenging, & available in very few countries. ow.ly/RzFo50VraTE

The Australian Medical Association's new position statement on Voluntary Assisted Dying is a welcome change that will transform care for dying people. "The first update in 10 years provides clarity about VAD's role in end-of-life conversations." 👇 www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/go_gentle_we...

Photographer Julian Kingma did what no one else had attempted: capture the stories of those who chose voluntary assisted dying. "The suffering, love, humour & courage are unlike anything I have experienced." Julian & Andrew Denton will discuss the project @Sydney Writers Festival. bit.ly/4iaZTgZ

VAD is now available in all six Australian states. However many people are unsure about the application process and what's involved. Hosted by Go Gentle's Dr Linda Swan, this free webinar aims to demystify the VAD process. Register to attend: ow.ly/PJe850V5OI4

“While groundbreaking at the time of its commencement, the Victorian model of VAD is now widely regarded as a conservative model in Australia."

BREAKING: Heartening news out of Victoria today. These proposed changes show the government is listening to terminally ill people, their families and carers, and is willing to act on the evidence👏

🎧Listen to our CEO Dr Linda Swan talk about the barriers to Voluntary Assisted Dying such as limits on open communication, as well as obstruction from religious organisations. It's a reminder that there's still much work to do to make VAD accessible to all who are eligible and want this choice.

In just 8 years, assisted dying laws were passed in every Aust state & the ACT. Today, 98% of Austs have access to this compassionate choice: only the NT is yet to act. In this podcast, our CEO, shares her journey into VAD advocacy, and explains why the work is more important than ever🎧

Stricken with terminal lung cancer and suffering unbearably, Australian actor and director Lex Marinos chose voluntary assisted dying, his final days spent at home surrounded by loved ones.

From our State of VAD report and trans-Tasman conference to helping to pass Australia's most person-centric assisted dying law yet, 2024 was a landmark year for choice. Your support made all the difference 😍🙏 We wish you a relaxing and safe holiday season.

Cancer was the most common disease linked with voluntary assisted dying worldwide. But people with one devastating illness were 7 times more likely to seek help to end their life.

"My brave, dear, sweet husband raised the glass looking at me for the last time, said ‘cheers’ and took the medicine. He fell asleep in my arms a minute later. "After 12 years of unbearable suffering, he was finally at peace."

What's it like to work as a voluntary assisted dying practitioner? Carolyn, a long-time GP, shares her profound journey including how her work and personal losses deepened her understanding of death and grief. 🎧Listen to the episode

"Choosing VAD doesn't shield you from grief. My dad is still gone, and that loss cuts just as deep. But instead of being haunted by his final days, I'm comforted by them. The grief lives alongside memories of laughter, joy, and a goodbye that honoured who he was."

Dr Fellingham, who helped implement Voluntary Assisted Dying in Western Australia, said coercion was so “vanishingly rare” as to be non-existent. “Coercion absolutely exists but not in the way you might expect. “More often than not, we see famiy imploring loved ones ... NOT to consider VAD." 👇

In 2023, Marlene Bevern, a Ballarat nurse with MND, became the 1st person in Australia to become an organ donor after voluntary assisted dying. Marlene’s choice saved four lives. On #DonateLife 's national #ThankYouDay, a heartfelt 🙏 to all donors & families. www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09...

In 2021, Abbey Egan gave powerful testimony to a parliamentary inquiry into Assisted Dying in NSW. What she told MPs about her partner Jayde's death from cervical cancer left them speechless & in tears. These deaths are happening in the UK. #AssistedDyingBill youtu.be/qeXmANWP-e4?...

"I see this as a chance to act with kindness and offer a choice for people in their darkest hour. www.express.co.uk/news/politic...

The evidence is unequivocal: assisted dying laws are safe, working as intended and fulfilling their aims of relieving suffering and offering choice at the end of life. #assisteddying www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/are_vad_laws...

"I wanted to leave the party while it’s still going, that time is now." Roz Hervey, a much-loved arts figure who was diagnosed with MND in 2022, announced her own assisted death in a heartfelt letter. ow.ly/Pt1a50U4PqC

There is no evidence of coercion in Australian assisted dying cases. If anything, patients are more likely to be pressured out of VAD by relatives or faith-based institutions: evidence in the leadup to a debate on Scotland's Assisted Dying bill. #assisteddying ow.ly/feRf50U0WB3

The UK's assisted dying bill has been published with 'the strictest safeguards of any legislation anywhere'. The UK can be reassured: evidence from Australia shows VAD laws are safe & are fulfilling their aims of relieving suffering & offering dying people choice. #assisteddying ow.ly/BFr850U4MF8