Voluntary assisted dying (VAD) is now legal in every Australian state and the ACT, with legislation passed in the Northern Territory in August this year. In NSW, VAD has provided an additional end-of-life option since 2023, and a review of the NSW legislation is now underway.
The review is considering how well the current system is working and whether the laws and frameworks supporting VAD in NSW can be strengthened.
What does VAD look like in practice in NSW? Who chooses it, and why? How does it affect the clinicians involved? And what does the experience in NSW tell us about where VAD may be heading?
At the October Newcastle Institute event, on 14th October 2026 at Newcastle Yacht Club between 6.00pm and 7.30pm, Dr Charles Douglas, Clinical Director of Voluntary Assisted Dying for Hunter New England Local Health District, will explore these questions and more.
Dr Douglas is also a Clinical Conjoint Senior Lecturer in Clinical Ethics and Health Law at the University of Newcastle. His PhD examined end-of-life care and aspects of voluntary assisted dying.
Dr Douglas will explain the NSW VAD legislation and compare it with laws in other jurisdictions. He will look at who chooses VAD and the reasons behind those decisions, as well as the experiences of clinicians who work in VAD clinical teams.
He will also reflect on how effectively the NSW model is operating, whether there is scope for changes to the current framework, and what the longer-term implications of VAD might be for patients, clinicians and the wider community.
As VAD becomes more established across Australia, he will discuss the question that continues to generate debate: is there any evidence of a “slippery slope”?
Event Details:
WHEN: Wednesday October 14th, 2026, 6.00pm – 7.30pm
WHERE: Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club
ENTRY: Complimentary for members. A $10 donation is requested from casual attendees.
The event will also be live-streamed on the Newcastle Institute Facebookpage.
Please register online as a member or guest.