Victorian end-of-life reformists speak at Lecretia Seales memorial law reform event this week

13 August 2018

WELLINGTON - Victorians Julian Gardner and Tricia Malowney are travelling from Melbourne to speak at the 2018 Lecretia Seales Memorial Lecture in Law Reform in Wellington on 16 August 2018.

Audience members made up of MPs, lawmakers, students, and the general public will join Mr Gardner and Ms Malowney in an engaging discussion about the process and challenges of establishing the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2017 in the Australian state of Victoria. The legislation will come into effect in mid-2019.

Lecretia Seales’ widower, Matt Vickers, said: "It's pretty special to get not one but two experts from the Victorian inquiry visiting New Zealand - these folks have examined the issue from all angles and will likely be the most informed individuals that the New Zealand public and MPs will have the opportunity to hear from.”

Mr Vickers will present his oral submission to the Justice Select Committee on the morning of the 16th of August at 9:45am. [UPDATE: Mr Vickers will now be speaking to the select committee at 12:25pm.]

New Zealand’s own End of Life Choice Bill has sparked a record 35,000 public submissions to the Justice Select Committee - the most ever received by a select committee since legalisation of same-sex marriage drew 22,000 submissions in 2012 - so deeper discussion about the Victorian Government’s Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2017 comes at a vital time for Kiwi MPs and the general public alike.

Last night One News announced their latest polls put New Zealanders’ support for the End of Life Choice Bill at 76%, its highest level of support yet.

At the lecture, the Victorian delegation will discuss elements of their road to success including the establishment of a Ministerial Advisory panel made up of Australian medical experts, lawyers and community representatives to advise on how such a law should be implemented prior to the final reading. Their report, comprising of 66 recommendations, formed the basis of the bill that was passed.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews described the law as the “most conservative voluntary assisted dying model that has ever been proposed — let alone implemented — anywhere in the world.”

The lecture will be preceded by a unique private information evening for MPs on the evening of 15 August. A Q&A session featuring Mr Gardner and Ms Malowney will give New Zealand MPs vital insight into the finer details of the Victorian inquiry as New Zealand’s own End of Life Choice Bill edges closer to the final parliamentary reading and deciding conscience vote.

Lecretia Seales took a case to the High Court of New Zealand in May 2015, seeking a judgment that would protect her doctor from prosecution should she consent to be assisted to die. Ms Seales passed away on 5 June 2016, on the same day the judgment in Seales v Attorney General was delivered. Though Ms Seales did not get the ruling she sought, her actions helped provoke a parliamentary inquiry leading to the End of Life Choice Bill currently being heard in New Zealand Parliament.

Ms Seales was named New Zealander of the Year 2015 by the New Zealand Herald.

Members of the public and community leaders are encouraged to reserve a seat to attend the 2018 Lecretia Seales Memorial Lecture in Law Reform on 16 August 2018 at the Old Government Buildings in Wellington by registering for free at

https://vuw.eventsair.com/18-lecretia-seales-memorial-lecture-in-law-reform/lecretiaseales/Site/Register

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