Euthanasia will be available to those who are seriously ill from the beginning of 2023, following similar laws passed in Tasmania, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia.
Queensland’s laws will go further than other jurisdictions.
Those with a 12-month life expectancy prognosis will be able to access voluntary-assisted death (VAD), while euthanasia is only available to those with a six-month prognosis in all other states where it has been legalised.
Doctors will also be able to approach the topic with terminally ill patients and nurses will be permitted to administer the deadly dose.
Queensland Health said legislation from other states had been carefully considered when drafting its own version but various differences were needed to “meet the needs of our diverse population, taking into account access to health practitioners and our large and decentralised state”.
Can doctors refuse to participate?
In short, yes.
The legislation clearly states that a registered health practitioner can conscientiously object to being part of the VAD process.
But they must inform the person that other doctors or providers might be able to help them and then provide details of an official VAD navigator service.
What about faith-based institutions?
That's a more complicated matter.
While practitioners and faith-based organisations won't be forced to participate in VAD – and can opt out – the laws do limit what aged care homes can do if one of their residents wants to explore the option.
In his speech this week, Deputy Premier Steven Miles explained that those aged care facilities can choose not to participate "but they must allow reasonable access by practitioners who are willing to assist".
How about short-stay patients in private hospitals or hospices?
This is slightly different again.
A person can be transferred to another facility if wanting to undergo VAD.
But if this is not possible – for instance, if someone is too sick to be moved – the patient could access VAD in the facility.
Mr Miles said the laws respect both the rights of entities and the rights of people seeking access to VAD.
"Just because someone has found themselves in the situation of being in a particular facility, they shouldn't be prevented from accessing a lawful end-of-life option if it's something they qualify for and they want to pursue," he said.
"This is especially the case for aged care."
In the face of a raft of concerns from faith-based institutions, Mr Miles announced this week the government agreed to develop proposed clinical guidelines to address those institution's concerns and provide certainty, as well as consult them during the implementation.
9月25日追記
● QD州の病床の4分の1は、宗教的背景のある病院。
