Guest speakers Dr Nick Carr and Penny Hackett presented on the journey of reform since the Victorian parliament legalised voluntary assisted dying in 2017 and on the path ahead, with final hurdles remaining in New South Wales and the territories.
The webinar was held as a tribute to the late Dr Rodney Syme. It reflected on the significant reforms that have been achieved in Australia because of the activism of passionate people like Dr Syme.
Dr Carr is a Victorian GP and honorary clinical senior lecturer in the Department of General Practice at the University of Melbourne. He is actively involved with providing VAD care. He is a board member of Dying with Dignity Victoria.
Ms Hackett is president of Dying With Dignity New South Wales, which is one of the leading campaigners for the legalisation of VAD in the state. A finance lawyer by background, she has devoted much of the past four years to advocating for VAD in New South Wales and other states.