Voluntary Dying in the ACT: Carers ACT Position Statement

Carers in the ACT provide an important role supporting family and friends who are frail aged or experiencing chronic ill health and through the palliative journey. While caring can be a rewarding and positive experience, it can also impact a carer’s wellbeing and we are advocating for carers input, wishes and experiences to be
considered and valued in the development and realisation of the laws about Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD).

While Carers ACT remains active in the consultations surrounding VAD in the ACT, Carers ACT did not provide a direct response to the ACT Governments Discussion Paper nor are we taking a position in relation to the availability or eligibility of VAD in the ACT.

Instead we have developed a set of principles that focus on recognising and supporting carers through the process of VAD and we will advocate for these principles to be embedded as the ACT government continues to consider how the community wishes voluntary assisted dying to be approached in the ACT.

Principles:

• The principles of the ACT Carers Recognition Act 20211 are upheld and carers are active participants
  and engaged in decision making.
• Carers receive access to support before, during and after the administration of the process of
  application and administration of VAD.
• The process of VAD should not unduly impact or affect carers by causing additional burden or harm.
• Carers are protected in the process of applying for and administering voluntary assisted dying.