Displaying items by tag: Tasmania

A key member of the ‘independent and objective’ panel advising Tasmanian MPs on Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) has a long history of strong advocacy for the reform, prompting concerns about bias. University professor Margaret Otlowski is one of four review panel members whose expert report will help shape the state’s final voluntary assisted dying law, which is set to pass parliament in March. The panel was requested by Premier Peter Gutwein, a declared supporter of the bill, to provide independent and objective advice to MPs ahead of the vote. This advice is to include a comparison with legislation in other jurisdictions, an objective analysis of safeguards, the interrelationship between VAD and palliative care, and stakeholder feedback. Opponents of the bill have said they are concerned that the professor, as the key legal expert on the panel, has been a consistent and firm supporter of VAD.