Question On Notice No. 1151 asked in the Legislative Council on 1 December 2022 by Hon Nick Goiran
Question Directed to the: Leader of the House representing the Minister for Health
Parliament: 41 Session: 1
Question
I refer to page 5 of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Board Western Australia Annual Report 2021-22 that states 190 voluntary assisted dying deaths were
recorded in the reporting period, which accounts for 1.1% of total deaths in
Western Australia in 2021-22, and I ask:
(a) how does this figure compare with the annual estimate forecast by the Health Minister during Parliamentary debate on the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2019; and
(b) if there is an increase in voluntary assisted dying deaths recorded in the first reporting period in 2021-22 compared to the annual estimate forecast at the time of passing the legislation, to what does the Minister attribute this increase?
Answered on 14 February 2023
(a) The figure of 190 deaths is greater than forecast in 2019.
(b) The overall number is reflective of a scheme that is genuinely accessible to those who seek voluntary assisted dying as their end-of-life choice.