Older Australians have shown support for voluntary assisted dying for those with a terminal illness, as states progress with schemes.
A National Seniors Australia survey of 3500 people found more than 85 per cent of respondents either supported or strongly supported giving those with a terminal illness the option to end their lives.
When the question changed to remove terminal illness as a requirement for access, support dropped to 67 per cent and three times as many people were ‘undecided’.
Voluntary assisted dying schemes are active in Victoria and WA, and South Australia and Tasmania have recently passed legislation for it’s introduction.
Queensland MPs are scheduled to debate laws next month, and a bill is expected to soon be introduced to the NSW parliament.
Many survey respondents used the opportunity to share stories detailing how their views were shaped by personal experience.
“We received more comments than other studies had, from respondents who supported provisions because of people taking their own lives in distress and causing family grief,” National Seniors Australia’s CEO John McCallum said.
Other respondents raised concerns that older people may feel coerced into a decision by family members, care organisations or societal ageism. The concern was held by those who opposed voluntary assisted dying, as well as the undecided cohort and those in support.
“Our members asked us to do this survey and with our increasing ability to keep people alive at all ages this issue has to be discussed and addressed in the community,” Prof McCallum said.
“Better information on this and a balanced community conversation … is needed. We could also learn from the Canadians who put a five-year review on their legislation to assess its value in practice and further reforms.”
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