This podcast series aims to share stories from the family members of loved ones who have accessed Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) in South Australia. VAD enables eligible people to voluntarily access and self-administer - or in some cases have a doctor administer - a medication that will end their life. The journeys undertaken in this podcast are deeply personal and reflective of the speakers' own experiences and circumstances. VAD in South Australia is only accessible to people who meet strict criteria. Comprehensive information on Voluntary Assisted Dying in Your State is provided on the Go Gentle website at https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/vad_in_your_state or by contacting your State Health Department. If listening to this podcast raises distressing issues for you, please contact one of the following support services: Griefline ( https://griefline.org.au/ ) 1300 845 745 Grief Australia ( https://www.grief.org.au/ ) 1800 642 745 Lifeline ( https://www.lifeline.org.au/ ) 13 11 14, or chat online 24 hours a day
This year, Sandra was diagnosed with the same aggressive lung cancer that took her father's life. Having spent thirteen years as an ambulance clinician and watched her father suffer through chemotherapy, she understood exactly what aggressive treatment would cost her — and chose a different path. Sandra speaks with Dr Laureen Lawlor-Smith about weighing an oncologist's optimism against her own clinical experience, the compassionate and thorough support she found through South Australia's Voluntary Assisted Dying process, and the relief of knowing the choice is now hers to make. She also shares how she's spending her remaining time: continuing a PhD project on trauma-informed care for children, tying up loose ends, and finding peace in a decision made entirely on her own terms. Comprehensive information on Voluntary Assisted Dying in Your State is provided on the Go Gentle website at https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/vad_in_your_state or by contacting your State Health Department. If listening to this podcast raises distressing issues for you, please contact one of the following support services: Griefline ( https://griefline.org.au/ ) 1300 845 745 Grief Australia ( https://www.grief.org.au/ ) 1800 642 745 Lifeline ( https://www.lifeline.org.au/ ) 13 11 14, or chat online 24 hours a day See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The experience of voluntary assisted dying is shaped not only by legislation, but by access. Nicole’s family discovered that geography, travel requirements and gaps in healthcare services can create significant barriers for people facing terminal illness, particularly in regional Australia. Nicole shares the story of her stepfather Shane, who lived with motor neurone disease for more than two years before choosing VAD. She reflects on the practical realities of navigating the approval process, the challenges of accessing qualified practitioners in rural Victoria, and the impact inadequate care services can have on end-of-life decisions. Nicole describes the deeply personal nature of Shane’s decision; and the peaceful circumstances of his death. She also discusses why greater awareness, telehealth access and legislative reform are essential to ensure people can access voluntary assisted dying with dignity, regardless of where they live. Comprehensive information on Voluntary Assisted Dying in Your State is provided on the Go Gentle website at https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/vad_in_your_state or by contacting your State Health Department. If listening to this podcast raises distressing issues for you, please contact one of the following support services: Griefline ( https://griefline.org.au/ ) 1300 845 745 Grief Australia ( https://www.grief.org.au/ ) 1800 642 745 Lifeline ( https://www.lifeline.org.au/ ) 13 11 14, or chat online 24 hours a day See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Death is universal, yet modern society often treats it as something hidden, feared and rarely discussed. Cultural anthropologist and Buddhist scholar Dr Hannah Gould explores how religion, medicine, mortality and voluntary assisted dying shape the way Australians think about death in the 21st century. Drawing on her research, Buddhist practice and personal experience of losing her father at a young age, Hannah reflects on why Western cultures struggle with death, how medicine’s “fight against death” mentality affects patients and clinicians, and why conversations about dying matter. She discusses how changing death practices may reshape grief, funerals and end-of-life rituals. Her book How to Die in the 21st Century offers a compassionate, accessible and thought-provoking guide to confronting mortality. How to Die in the 21st Century by Dr Hannah Gould https://thamesandhudson.com.au/products/how-to-die-in-the-21st-century Comprehensive information on Voluntary Assisted Dying in Your State is provided on the Go Gentle website at https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/vad_in_your_state or by contacting your State Health Department. If listening to this podcast raises distressing issues for you, please contact one of the following support services: Griefline ( https://griefline.org.au/ ) 1300 845 745 Grief Australia ( https://www.grief.org.au/ ) 1800 642 745 Lifeline ( https://www.lifeline.org.au/ ) 13 11 14, or chat online 24 hours a day See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Access to voluntary assisted dying can depend heavily on where a patient lives. Rural doctor Dr Tim Leeuwenburg sees this firsthand through his work on Kangaroo Island, where patients often face long delays, travel burdens and complex legal barriers just to begin the VAD process. With decades of experience in rural medicine, anaesthesia and critical care retrieval, Tim explains why VAD has become an important extension of holistic end-of-life care in regional communities. He joins Laureen to discuss the challenges facing rural patients, including cross-border residency rules, telehealth restrictions, workforce shortages and poor remuneration for practitioners. They reveal how bureaucracy and geography can complicate a patient’s final months and why legislative reform is urgently needed to improve equitable access across Australia. Comprehensive information on Voluntary Assisted Dying in Your State is provided on the Go Gentle website at https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/vad_in_your_state or by contacting your State Health Department. If listening to this podcast raises distressing issues for you, please contact one of the following support services: Griefline ( https://griefline.org.au/ ) 1300 845 745 Grief Australia ( https://www.grief.org.au/ ) 1800 642 745 Lifeline ( https://www.lifeline.org.au/ ) 13 11 14, or chat online 24 hours a day See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
ACT Attorney-General Tara Cheyne reflects on the long and complex journey to legalise voluntary assisted dying (VAD) in the ACT, from the overturning of Northern Territory laws in 1997 to the restoration of territory rights in 2022 and the passage of ACT legislation in 2024. She outlines the deliberate, community-led approach taken to design a more compassionate and practical framework, removing rigid prognosis timeframes, enabling open conversations between clinicians and patients, and expanding the role of nurse practitioners. Ms Cheyne highlights the human impact behind her advocacy, shaped by her father’s end-of-life experience, and argues that VAD should sit alongside palliative care as part of a continuum of choice. She also addresses ongoing challenges, particularly federal restrictions on telehealth, which continue to limit access for vulnerable patients. The conversation underscores the importance of dignity, autonomy and continued reform. Comprehensive information on Voluntary Assisted Dying in Your State is provided on the Go Gentle website at https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/vad_in_your_state or by contacting your State Health Department. If listening to this podcast raises distressing issues for you, please contact one of the following support services: Griefline ( https://griefline.org.au/ ) 1300 845 745 Grief Australia ( https://www.grief.org.au/ ) 1800 642 745 Lifeline ( https://www.lifeline.org.au/ ) 13 11 14, or chat online 24 hours a day See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Voluntary assisted dying can provide dignity and relief at the end of life, but legislation must balance access with safeguards. Ann David, former President of New Zealand’s End of Life Choice Society, shares her personal journey into advocacy, explains how New Zealand’s VAD law was passed and implemented, outlines key differences from Australian models, and discusses proposed reforms aimed at improving access, eligibility, and protections for patients. Comprehensive information on Voluntary Assisted Dying in Your State is provided on the Go Gentle website at https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/vad_in_your_state or by contacting your State Health Department. If listening to this podcast raises distressing issues for you, please contact one of the following support services: Griefline ( https://griefline.org.au/ ) 1300 845 745 Grief Australia ( https://www.grief.org.au/ ) 1800 642 745 Lifeline ( https://www.lifeline.org.au/ ) 13 11 14, or chat online 24 hours a day See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Roles are reversed this episode as Dr Laureen Lawlor-Smith – who normally sits in the host’s chair – is interviewed by previous guest, Jane Nosworthy, VAD support group facilitator with Dying With Dignity Victoria. Laureen shares her own perspective as a South Australian GP who has worked with around 160 people seeking Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD). Motivated by decades of end-of-life care, including witnessing both peaceful and traumatic deaths, she argues VAD restores dignity, control and relief, particularly where palliative care cannot address loss of independence or suffering. Laureen describes the emotional shift from early anxiety about new legislation and strict paperwork to calm confidence in a process she finds consistently gentle for patients and families. She outlines key system pressures: workforce shortages, limited remuneration, the risk of practitioner burnout, and the need for mentorship and debriefing supports. She also critiques barriers including prognosis thresholds, frailty, dementia, and South Australia’s “gag clause,” which inspired her to launch a public-facing podcast to demystify access. Comprehensive information on Voluntary Assisted Dying in Your State is provided on the Go Gentle website at https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/vad_in_your_state or by contacting your State Health Department. If listening to this podcast raises distressing issues for you, please contact one of the following support services: Griefline ( https://griefline.org.au/ ) 1300 845 745 Grief Australia ( https://www.grief.org.au/ ) 1800 642 745 Lifeline ( https://www.lifeline.org.au/ ) 13 11 14, or chat online 24 hours a day See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jane Morris, President of Dying with Dignity Victoria, traces her lifelong commitment to voluntary assisted dying, shaped by childhood experiences, nursing practice, bioethics study, and the traumatic death of her mother from motor neurone disease. She reflects on the pioneering advocacy of Rodney Syme and the catalytic public impact of Andrew Denton. She outlines Victoria’s recent VAD law reforms, including improved access, reduced safeguards, expanded practitioner roles, removal of the gag clause, workforce support, and patient choice in administration. Jane also highlights ongoing challenges, particularly institutional objection and the unresolved issue of dementia and advance directives. Dying with Dignity Victoria https://www.dwdv.org.au/ Comprehensive information on Voluntary Assisted Dying in Your State is provided on the Go Gentle website at https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/vad_in_your_state or by contacting your State Health Department. If listening to this podcast raises distressing issues for you, please contact one of the following support services: Griefline ( https://griefline.org.au/ ) 1300 845 745 Grief Australia ( https://www.grief.org.au/ ) 1800 642 745 Lifeline ( https://www.lifeline.org.au/ ) 13 11 14, or chat online 24 hours a day See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Kimberly shares the deeply personal experience of supporting two loved ones through motor neurone disease and voluntary assisted dying. Rohan who declined rapidly after his 2020 diagnosis, discovered accessing VAD was slow and complex. It was worsened by institutional barriers and limited information, but ultimately his death via PEG-administered VAD was peaceful and the least traumatic part of his illness. When Kimberly’s mother was diagnosed with bulbar-onset MND, Kimberly used the knowledge she had gained to plan early, secure approvals, and preserve choice. Her story highlights the emotional toll of MND, the importance of timely information, and the profound value of autonomy at end of life. Comprehensive information on Voluntary Assisted Dying in Your State is provided on the Go Gentle website at https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/vad_in_your_state or by contacting your State Health Department. If listening to this podcast raises distressing issues for you, please contact one of the following support services: Griefline ( https://griefline.org.au/ ) 1300 845 745 Grief Australia ( https://www.grief.org.au/ ) 1800 642 745 Lifeline ( https://www.lifeline.org.au/ ) 13 11 14, or chat online 24 hours a day See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The world’s first voluntary assisted dying law to be enacted and used was passed in Australia’s Northern Territory – only to be overturned months later by the Federal Parliament. The man behind that historic legislation is Marshall Perron. As Chief Minister of the Northern Territory from 1988 to 1995, he introduced the Rights of the Terminally Ill Act, a groundbreaking and controversial step forward in end-of-life choice. The law was overturned by the Australian Federal Parliament in March 1997 through the Euthanasia Laws Act 1997, which removed the power of territories (like the Northern Territory) to legislate on euthanasia. For the first time publicly, Marshall Perron shares his thoughts on the process: the political determination it required, the national and international fallout, and the personal decision to resign before the final vote. He also shares his disappointment that the Territory – once a pioneer – remains the only jurisdiction in Australia without VAD laws. NTVES (Northern Territory Voluntary Euthanasia Society) https://ntves.org.au/ COTA NT (Council on the Ageing, Northern Territory) https://www.cotant.org.au/ Northern Territory Government – Parliamentary (Committees / Legal & Constitutional Affairs) More information on into “Voluntary Assisted Dying in the Northern Territory – Second Interim Report, September 2025” https://parliament.nt.gov.au/committees/list/legal-and-constitutional-affairs-committee/VAD Comprehensive information on Voluntary Assisted Dying in Your State is provided on the Go Gentle website at https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/vad_in_your_state or by contacting your State Health Department. If listening to this podcast raises distressing issues for you, please contact one of the following support services: Griefline ( https://griefline.org.au/ ) 1300 845 745 Grief Australia ( https://www.grief.org.au/ ) 1800 642 745 Lifeline ( https://www.lifeline.org.au/ ) 13 11 14, or chat online 24 hours a day See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dr Lynn Arnold once stood firmly against voluntary assisted dying (VAD). Initially concerned about the potential for abuse, his perspective changed after witnessing the prolonged suffering of his cousin and, later, supporting his mother through her own VAD journey. Her decision, carried out with dignity and care, revealed to him the system’s safeguards and the emotional depth of choosing death on one’s own terms. The Honourable Reverend Dr Lynne Arnold is a former state parliamentarian and premier of South Australia. He has held leadership roles with World Vision and Anglicare SA. Today he serves as an assistant priest at St Peter’s Anglican Cathedral, a theology lecturer at St Barnabas Theological College, and a patron or ambassador for numerous organisations including the Don Dunstan Foundation, Reconciliation SA, and the United Nations Association of Australia. He speaks candidly about the internal conflict, the healing power of compassionate medical care, and the importance of support for both the person choosing VAD and their loved ones. He also discusses how his theological views evolved, emphasising the Anglican Church’s openness to individual conscience on the matter. Comprehensive information on Voluntary Assisted Dying in Your State is provided on the Go Gentle website at https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/vad_in_your_state or by contacting your State Health Department. If listening to this podcast raises distressing issues for you, please contact one of the following support services: Griefline ( https://griefline.org.au/ ) 1300 845 745 Grief Australia ( https://www.grief.org.au/ ) 1800 642 745 Lifeline ( https://www.lifeline.org.au/ ) 13 11 14, or chat online 24 hours a day See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Voluntary assisted dying isn’t just about law – it’s about people, compassion, and choice. Dr Peter Allcroft, one of South Australia’s most influential leaders in palliative care and voluntary assisted dying, shares how his professional journey has led him to this deeply meaningful work. Starting as a respiratory and sleep physician, Peter transitioned into palliative care, driven by a desire to support patients through every stage of life-limiting illness, particularly motor neurone disease. Now Chair of Palliative Care Australia and co-clinical lead for South Australia’s VAD services, he discusses the emotional depth, ethical complexity, and clinical evolution of end-of-life care. Peter explores the importance of patient-centred decisions and the quiet power of listening, empathy, and dignity at life’s end. Comprehensive information on Voluntary Assisted Dying in Your State is provided on the Go Gentle website at https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/vad_in_your_state or by contacting your State Health Department. If listening to this podcast raises distressing issues for you, please contact one of the following support services: Griefline ( https://griefline.org.au/ ) 1300 845 745 Grief Australia ( https://www.grief.org.au/ ) 1800 642 745 Lifeline ( https://www.lifeline.org.au/ ) 13 11 14, or chat online 24 hours a day See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Casey Haining is a Research Fellow and PhD candidate at the Australian Centre for Health Law Research at QUT and also holds a research position at the University of Melbourne. Her academic work focuses on health law and end-of-life care, particularly voluntary assisted dying (VAD) and dementia. Casey discusses the complexities of VAD eligibility for people with dementia, especially around decision-making capacity and prognosis requirements under Australian legislation. She compares international approaches, such as those in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Canada, which permit access under broader criteria or via advance directives. Casey also shares insights into her current research, including an exploratory study on VAD and dementia in Australia, aiming to inform future policy development through citizen juries and practitioner engagement. Comprehensive information on Voluntary Assisted Dying in Your State is provided on the Go Gentle website at https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/vad_in_your_state or by contacting your State Health Department. If listening to this podcast raises distressing issues for you, please contact one of the following support services: Griefline ( https://griefline.org.au/ ) 1300 845 745 Grief Australia ( https://www.grief.org.au/ ) 1800 642 745 Lifeline ( https://www.lifeline.org.au/ ) 13 11 14, or chat online 24 hours a day See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
With nearly 40 years’ experience as a general practitioner, Dr Nick Carr was one of the first GPs trained in VAD in Victoria. He reflects on the privilege of supporting patients at the end of life, describing VAD experiences as deeply moving and often profoundly beautiful. He discusses his advocacy with Dying with Dignity Victoria, the emotional and practical challenges of the work, and the pressing need for law reform. Dr Carr also highlights workforce shortages, the role of mentorship, and the growing public demand for access to VAD, especially among those with dementia or chronic suffering. Dying With Dignity Victoria https://www.dwdv.org.au/ Comprehensive information on Voluntary Assisted Dying in Your State is provided on the Go Gentle website at https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/vad_in_your_state or by contacting your State Health Department. If listening to this podcast raises distressing issues for you, please contact one of the following support services: Griefline ( https://griefline.org.au/ ) 1300 845 745 Grief Australia ( https://www.grief.org.au/ ) 1800 642 745 Lifeline ( https://www.lifeline.org.au/ ) 13 11 14, or chat online 24 hours a day See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rev Dr Anna Grant-Henderson, a Uniting Church minister, reflects on her journey toward supporting VAD, shaped by personal experiences, parish ministry, and theological insights. Anna shares her role in supporting a congregant through VAD, her views on pastoral care, and the varied positions of different Synods across Australia. She advocates for the Church to provide clear resources to guide ministers and communities navigating end-of-life decisions. The discussion also explores scriptural interpretation, community response, and the emotional and spiritual dimensions of death and dying. Anna calls for greater compassion, clarity, and openness in how faith communities approach VAD and the people it affects. Comprehensive information on Voluntary Assisted Dying in Your State is provided on the Go Gentle website at https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/vad_in_your_state or by contacting your State Health Department. If listening to this podcast raises distressing issues for you, please contact one of the following support services: Griefline ( https://griefline.org.au/ ) 1300 845 745 Grief Australia ( https://www.grief.org.au/ ) 1800 642 745 Lifeline ( https://www.lifeline.org.au/ ) 13 11 14, or chat online 24 hours a day See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ben White is Professor of End-of-Life Law and Regulation at QUT’s Australian Centre for Health Law Research. With over 200 publications and $45 million in research funding, his work focuses on voluntary assisted dying (VAD), law reform, and end-of-life decision-making. Ben discusses the slow road to VAD legalisation in Australia, the patchwork of state laws, and barriers to access – such as gag clauses for clinicians, telehealth restrictions, and institutional objections. He shares concerning findings that only 33% of Queenslanders know VAD is legal, and fewer than two-thirds of health professionals are aware. He emphasises the need to normalise VAD as part of end-of-life care, alongside palliative treatment and active care, to improve patient understanding and choice. Comprehensive information on Voluntary Assisted Dying in Your State is provided on the Go Gentle website at https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/vad_in_your_state or by contacting your State Health Department. If listening to this podcast raises distressing issues for you, please contact one of the following support services: Griefline ( https://griefline.org.au/ ) 1300 845 745 Grief Australia ( https://www.grief.org.au/ ) 1800 642 745 Lifeline ( https://www.lifeline.org.au/ ) 13 11 14, or chat online 24 hours a day See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Letting go – of control, fear, and clinging – is not a failure, but a path to peace, compassion, and deep spiritual clarity at the end of life. Carol Perry, a teacher with Melbourne Insight Meditation, brings over 45 years of experience in the Insight (Vipassana) tradition of Buddhism. Carol explores how Buddhist teachings on impermanence, suffering, and letting go intersect with the realities of Voluntary Assisted Dying. Drawing from personal stories, ancient suttas, and her retreat discussions with Laureen, Carol unpacks the Buddhist view of death not as an enemy to fight, but as a profound opportunity to release suffering. With compassion at the heart of her reflections, she reframes VAD as an act of love and clarity – not harm. Her message is both grounding and empowering: spiritual wisdom resides in lived experience and present-moment awareness. Comprehensive information on Voluntary Assisted Dying in Your State is provided on the Go Gentle website at https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/vad_in_your_state or by contacting your State Health Department. If listening to this podcast raises distressing issues for you, please contact one of the following support services: Griefline ( https://griefline.org.au/ ) 1300 845 745 Grief Australia ( https://www.grief.org.au/ ) 1800 642 745 Lifeline ( https://www.lifeline.org.au/ ) 13 11 14, or chat online 24 hours a day See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tianna and Kate both work within South Australia’s Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) service. Tianna, a VAD liaison officer, and Kate, a VAD care navigator, assist individuals navigating the VAD process. They discuss the support they provide, from initial inquiries to coordinating assessments and ensuring patients and families feel informed and supported. They reflect on their motivations for joining the VAD service, the challenges within the system – such as legislative restrictions and limited practitioner involvement – and the deeply personal experiences of those choosing VAD. Both highlight the importance of choice, autonomy, and dignity in end-of-life care. They emphasise the need for more trained practitioners to sustain the service. Through their experiences, they’ve witnessed the profound impact VAD has on patients and families, reinforcing the value of compassionate, informed, and patient-centred care. Comprehensive information on Voluntary Assisted Dying in Your State is provided on the Go Gentle website at https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/vad_in_your_state or by contacting your State Health Department. If listening to this podcast raises distressing issues for you, please contact one of the following support services: Griefline ( https://griefline.org.au/ ) 1300 845 745 Grief Australia ( https://www.grief.org.au/ ) 1800 642 745 Lifeline ( https://www.lifeline.org.au/ ) 13 11 14, or chat online 24 hours a day See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Eve’s mother, Marion, accessed voluntary assisted dying in 2023 after living with multiple chronic health conditions. Eve reflects on her mother’s resilience, selflessness, and determination to maintain control over her life despite significant challenges. She also describes the difficulties they encountered during the application process, delays in approval, and the emotional toll on their family. Ultimately, Eve recounts her mother’s peaceful final moments and how this experience has motivated her to advocate for improvements in voluntary assisted dying legislation. Comprehensive information on Voluntary Assisted Dying in Your State is provided on the Go Gentle website at https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/vad_in_your_state or by contacting your State Health Department. If listening to this podcast raises distressing issues for you, please contact one of the following support services: Griefline ( https://griefline.org.au/ ) 1300 845 745 Grief Australia ( https://www.grief.org.au/ ) 1800 642 745 Lifeline ( https://www.lifeline.org.au/ ) 13 11 14, or chat online 24 hours a day See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rowan’s mum Felicia, was born in a refugee camp before immigrating to Australia as a young child. Despite lifelong visual impairment Felicia went on to become a Professor of psychology at Cambridge University and a founder of the positive psychology movement. Felicia developed end stage breast cancer and accessed VAD in August 2024. Rowan discusses Felicia’s journey through the Voluntary Assisted Dying process utilising the power of positive psychology. Comprehensive information on Voluntary Assisted Dying in Your State is provided on the Go Gentle website at https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/vad_in_your_state or by contacting your State Health Department. If listening to this podcast raises distressing issues for you, please contact one of the following support services: Griefline ( https://griefline.org.au/ ) 1300 845 745 Grief Australia ( https://www.grief.org.au/ ) 1800 642 745 Lifeline ( https://www.lifeline.org.au/ ) 13 11 14, or chat online 24 hours a day See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
