Voices From Voluntary Assisted Dying – Details, episodes & analysis

Kimberly shares the deeply personal experience of supporting two loved ones through motor neurone disease and voluntary assisted dying. Rohan who declined rapidly after his 2020 diagnosis, discovered accessing VAD was slow and complex. It was worsened by institutional barriers and limited information, but ultimately his death via PEG-administered VAD was peaceful and the least traumatic part of his illness. When Kimberly’s mother was diagnosed with bulbar-onset MND, Kimberly used the knowledge she had gained to plan early, secure approvals, and preserve choice. Her story highlights the emotional toll of MND, the importance of timely information, and the profound value of autonomy at end of life. 

Comprehensive information on Voluntary Assisted Dying in Your State is provided on the Go Gentle website  at https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/vad_in_your_state or by contacting your State Health Department. 

If listening to this podcast raises distressing issues for you, please contact one of the following support services: 

Griefline (https://griefline.org.au/) 1300 845 745
Grief Australia (https://www.grief.org.au/) 1800 642 745
Lifeline (https://www.lifeline.org.au/) 13 11 14, or chat online 24 hours a day 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The world’s first voluntary assisted dying law to be enacted and used was passed in Australia’s Northern Territory – only to be overturned months later by the Federal Parliament. The man behind that historic legislation is Marshall Perron. As Chief Minister of the Northern Territory from 1988 to 1995, he introduced the Rights of the Terminally Ill Act, a groundbreaking and controversial step forward in end-of-life choice. 

The law was overturned by the Australian Federal Parliament in March 1997 through the Euthanasia Laws Act 1997, which removed the power of territories (like the Northern Territory) to legislate on euthanasia. 

For the first time publicly, Marshall Perron shares his thoughts on the process: the political determination it required, the national and international fallout, and the personal decision to resign before the final vote. He also shares his disappointment that the Territory – once a pioneer – remains the only jurisdiction in Australia without VAD laws. 

NTVES (Northern Territory Voluntary Euthanasia Society)
https://ntves.org.au/ 

COTA NT (Council on the Ageing, Northern Territory)
https://www.cotant.org.au/

Northern Territory Government – Parliamentary (Committees / Legal & Constitutional Affairs) 

More information on into “Voluntary Assisted Dying in the Northern Territory – Second Interim Report, September 2025” https://parliament.nt.gov.au/committees/list/legal-and-constitutional-affairs-committee/VAD 

Comprehensive information on Voluntary Assisted Dying in Your State is provided on the Go Gentle website at https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/vad_in_your_state or by contacting your State Health Department. 

If listening to this podcast raises distressing issues for you, please contact one of the following support services:
Griefline (https://griefline.org.au/) 1300 845 745
Grief Australia (https://www.grief.org.au/) 1800 642 745 
Lifeline (https://www.lifeline.org.au/) 13 11 14, or chat online 24 hours a day 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eve’s mother, Marion, accessed voluntary assisted dying in 2023 after living with multiple chronic health conditions. Eve reflects on her mother’s resilience, selflessness, and determination to maintain control over her life despite significant challenges. She also describes the difficulties they encountered during the application process, delays in approval, and the emotional toll on their family. Ultimately, Eve recounts her mother’s peaceful final moments and how this experience has motivated her to advocate for improvements in voluntary assisted dying legislation. 

Comprehensive information on Voluntary Assisted Dying in Your State is provided on the Go Gentle website  at https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/vad_in_your_state or by contacting your State Health Department. 

If listening to this podcast raises distressing issues for you, please contact one of the following support services:
Griefline (https://griefline.org.au/) 1300 845 745
Grief Australia (https://www.grief.org.au/) 1800 642 745 
Lifeline (https://www.lifeline.org.au/) 13 11 14, or chat online 24 hours a day

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rowan’s mum Felicia, was born in a refugee camp before immigrating to Australia as a young child. Despite lifelong visual impairment Felicia went on to become a Professor of psychology at Cambridge University and a founder of the positive psychology movement. Felicia developed end stage breast cancer and accessed VAD in August 2024. Rowan discusses Felicia’s journey through the Voluntary Assisted Dying process utilising the power of positive psychology. 

Comprehensive information on Voluntary Assisted Dying in Your State is provided on the Go Gentle website  at https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/vad_in_your_state or by contacting your State Health Department. 

If listening to this podcast raises distressing issues for you, please contact one of the following support services: 

Griefline (https://griefline.org.au/) 1300 845 745
Grief Australia (https://www.grief.org.au/) 1800 642 745
Lifeline (https://www.lifeline.org.au/) 13 11 14, or chat online 24 hours a day

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite much progress with voluntary assisted dying in Australia, challenges still exist, including the need for streamlined processes, expanded access, and support for healthcare professionals to ensure compassionate end-of-life care.

Dr Linda Swan, CEO of Go Gentle Australia, shares her journey into advocating for end-of-life choice, emphasising the need for continuous improvement in VAD delivery. 

Go Gentle's priorities include normalising VAD and ensuring integrated, compassionate care, supported by public donations. The discussion underscores the urgency of accessible, patient-centred end-of-life options.

MORE INFORMATION

Comprehensive information on Voluntary Assisted Dying in Your State is provided on the Go Gentle website at https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/vad_in_your_state or by contacting your State Health Department. 

If listening to this podcast raises distressing issues for you, please contact one of the following support services: 

Griefline (https://griefline.org.au/) 1300 845 745 

Grief Australia (https://www.grief.org.au/) 1800 642 745 

Lifeline (https://www.lifeline.org.au/) 13 11 14, or chat online 24 hours a day 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many families find it difficult to navigate the complexities of voluntary assisted dying (VAD).  That’s according to Jane Nosworthy and Kerrie Arthur.

Jane is a Board member of Dying with Dignity Victoria. Jane brings to the board her lived experience of supporting a family member to access VAD, as well as her professional background as a lawyer and social worker.

Kerrie is a counsellor and group facilitator with Griefline. With a background in social work that underpins her practice, she has become an advocate for voluntary assisted dying (VAD).

They were both part of a twelve month pilot program of voluntary assisted dying-specific bereavement support groups that Dying with Dignity Victoria and Griefline partnered to deliver in 2023 and 2024.

They discuss the importance of death literacy, addressing stigma, and providing support for families during and after the process. Programs like grief support groups and drop-in sessions aim to offer ongoing emotional support to caregivers.

If listening to this podcast raises distressing issues for you, please contact one of the following support services:

Griefline (https://griefline.org.au/) 1300 845 745 is available 8am-8pm seven days a week
Grief Australia (https://www.grief.org.au/) 1800 642 745
Lifeline (https://www.lifeline.org.au/) 13 11 14, or chat online 24 hours a day

To register your interest in participating in a VAD-specific support group, go to: https://griefline.org.au/get-help/vad-support-groups/ 

Dying With Dignity Victoria - https://www.dwdv.org.au/ 

For information about one-to-one peer support in Victoria provided by Dying With Dignity Victoria, go to: https://www.dwdv.org.au/our-services/vad-support/
To read more about VAD and grief, go to: https://griefline.org.au/understanding-voluntary-assisted-dying-and-its-impact-on-grief-white-paper/

Comprehensive information on Voluntary Assisted Dying in Your State is provided on the Go Gentle website at https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/vad_in_your_state or by contacting your State Health Department. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carolyn, a long-time GP, shares her profound journey through medicine and palliative care, highlighting her dedication to voluntary assisted dying (VAD). Initially aspiring to be a vet, she pursued medicine, drawn by her fascination with the human body and her love for longitudinal care. Her experiences with patients and personal family losses, including her parents and two children with hereditary conditions, deepened her understanding of death and grief. Inspired by these experiences and early family discussions on euthanasia, Carolyn became a passionate advocate for VAD. She has since supported over 140 patients, finding it rewarding to offer dignity, peace, and choice in their final moments.

Comprehensive information on Voluntary Assisted Dying in Your State is provided on the Go Gentle website  at https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/vad_in_your_state or by contacting your State Health Department.

If listening to this podcast raises distressing issues for you, please contact one of the following support services:

Griefline (https://griefline.org.au/) 1300 845 745
Grief Australia (https://www.grief.org.au/) 1800 642 745 
Lifeline (https://www.lifeline.org.au/) 13 11 14, or chat online 24 hours a day 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alison's mother, Linda, was a long-term resident of South Australia, who decided to move to New South Wales in the final months of her life to be cared for by Alison and her husband.  NSW, like most Australian states  require an applicant for VAD to reside in the state for at least the previous twelve months.  Linda was the first person in NSW to apply for and receive an exemption to this rule. Alison shares Linda’s journey and her family's experiences with VAD.

Comprehensive information on Voluntary Assisted Dying in Your State is provided on the Go Gentle website  at https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/vad_in_your_state or by contacting your State Health Department.

If listening to this podcast raises distressing issues for you, please contact one of the following support services:
Griefline (https://griefline.org.au/) 1300 845 745
Grief Australia (https://www.grief.org.au/) 1800 642 745 
Lifeline (https://www.lifeline.org.au/) 13 11 14, or chat online 24 hours a day 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Professor John Willoughby, a neurologist and advocate for voluntary assisted dying (VAD), reflects on his journey of supporting legislative change to ease end-of-life suffering. Prof Willoughby discusses current limitations in VAD laws, advocating for more accessible options, especially for patients with chronic conditions who face barriers to eligibility despite severe decline in quality of life.

Comprehensive information on Voluntary Assisted Dying in Your State is provided on the Go Gentle website  at https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/vad_in_your_state or by contacting your State Health Department.

If listening to this podcast raises distressing issues for you, please contact one of the following support services:
Griefline (https://griefline.org.au/) 1300 845 745
Grief Australia (https://www.grief.org.au/) 1800 642 745
Lifeline (https://www.lifeline.org.au/) 13 11 14, or chat online 24 hours a day

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Janelle reflects on her mother’s decision to pursue Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) after a progressive illness.

Comprehensive information on Voluntary Assisted Dying in Your State is provided on the Go Gentle website  at https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/vad_in_your_state or by contacting your State Health Department.

If listening to this podcast raises distressing issues for you, please contact one of the following support services:

Griefline (https://griefline.org.au/) 1300 845 745

Grief Australia (https://www.grief.org.au/) 1800 642 745

Lifeline (https://www.lifeline.org.au/) 13 11 14, or chat online 24 hours a day

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.