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  • 1 week ago
Voluntary assisted dying has been reintroduced in the Northern Territory, after a new bill passed Parliament last night. But contention remains around the requirement for a 12-month end-of-life prognosis, and the so-called 'gag laws' that prevent health professionals from starting conversations about VAD. Advocates say without the removal of these restrictions, the laws could be useless for many who need it.

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00:02For Carolyn, this week will mark 11 years since the passing of the love of her life,
00:08John, who she still talks to through photos she holds dear.
00:12What do you like to tell John?
00:14I miss you with all my heart and I will till the day I die.
00:18John died in 2015 after suffering from corticobasal degeneration, a rare disease that Carolyn
00:25says took doctors years to even diagnose and which slowly stole John's ability to move,
00:31making his last days ones that still haunt her.
00:34He's emaciated, he was skeletal. You wouldn't keep an animal alive like that.
00:42It's cruel, dull and cruel to see somebody you love in that situation and there's nothing you can do.
00:52That's why they really must, really must bring in something that is of value.
00:58That's very much a fishing one, you can see that.
01:01Carolyn is a strong advocate for voluntary assisted dying,
01:04but fears the laws passed by the NT government are too restrictive,
01:08with a requirement for a 12 month prognosis.
01:11Very few people will be able to use it as far as I can see.
01:15The 12 months is just ridiculous. Doctors are doctors.
01:18And certainly what John had, they hadn't any idea of anything at all.
01:23Opposing the government's gag laws on health professionals,
01:27Carolyn wants to see VADs spoken about freely.
01:30To be given the information, the correct information of what is available,
01:38and to then choose.
01:40A hope that one family's suffering never be felt again by those who live on.
01:46What do you believe is that you, understandingamotency that you cannot love no ones.
01:46What do you believe is that you, understanding is
01:51You
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