Nightshift - Voluntary Assisted Dying In Australia

VAD Advocate and host Suzanne James catches up with Mr Michael Kaltenbaugh, President of Dying with Dignity Queensland (DWDQ) as they prepare for Queensland's 2026 VAD legislative review.  Michael also recently attended a Seniors Expo where information and discussions around VAD was very well received.  They also discuss the current groundbreaking study by Queensland University into VAD and Dementia, and talk future strategies for the VAD advocacy movement in Australia
 
If you’re interested in the ongoing conversation around VAD, personal choice, and the rights of older Australians, this interview will give you a unique perspective from one of Queensland’s leading voices in the movement.
 
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#VoluntaryAssistedDying #DyingWithDignity #Queensland #EndOfLifeChoices #SeniorsExpo #Australia
 
Tags/Keywords:
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   •   VAD Queensland
   •   dying with dignity
   •   Dying with Dignity Queensland
   •   assisted dying laws Australia
   •   voluntary assisted dying advocates
   •   end of life choices
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   •   seniors expo 2025
   •   Queensland legislation review
   •   end of life care Queensland
   •   right to die movement
   •   voluntary assisted dying review
   •   palliative care and VAD
   •   health policy Queensland

Host Suzanne James and Dying With Dignity Victoria board member Dr Nick Carr discuss lobbying of Victorian MP's for proposed improvements to Victoria's VAD legislation, the upcoming 11 September VAD Forum at Victoria's Parliament House, DWDV's K9 Support Dog program, their VAD Young Ambassadors and the recent addition of two more doctors to the DWDV board.
 

NT VAD Inquiry Update - the Northern Territory Legal & Constitutional Affairs Committee has extended its public consultations until 29 August 2025 (previously due 15 August). Advocates and terminally ill Territorians are concerned the final report, due back to NT parliament at the end of September, may also now be further delayed which could potentially put its return off until next year. Advocates are seeking assurance from the Inquiry that this is not the case. The inquiry cited insufficient time to consult with indigenous and remote communities as the reason for extending the public consultation period. #northernterritory #VAD #VADfortheNT #voluntaryasisteddying

Host Suzanne James interviews Mr Ian Wood, co-founder of "Christians Supporting Choice for Voluntary Assisted Dying" and winner of the 2024 Rodney Syme Medal for services to the VAD movement. They discuss the high level of support for VAD amongst the Christian community and how some bible quotes are misrepresented in VAD debate. Includes a message from the Late Bishop Desmond Tutu in support of VAD.

Host Suzanne James talks to retired Palliative Care Nurse Jan Willis from NSW who has been diagnosed with MND and has been approved for Voluntary Assisted Dying. Jan shares her VAD journey with us in support of others and to help raise awareness of the VAD process. They discuss the VAD application process, the support available for applicants and families and how obtaining approval greatly improved the quality of the time Jan has left with her family. Jan also talks about being the first person to obtain permission from the local multi purpose service care unit where she plans to take her final journey, to use VAD.

Host Suzanne James talks to Nick Carr about his and his VAD patient Lynette's inclusion in "The Power of Choice", a book by award winning photographer Julian Kingma, with Steve Offner, which is a photo essay of terminally ill people who have chosen Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD). They courageously shared their last days and hours in support of the VAD advocacy movement.

Host Suzanne James interviews President of Dying With Dignity Queensland Michael Kaltenbaugh about their public awareness campaign, the need to fix Telehealth, support for families and carers, clinician support, end of life planning and Queensland University's current study into VAD and dementia in Australia.
#VAD #voluntaryassisteddying

Nightshift 2 6 25 - VAD Update South Australia with Anne Bunning, VP of VADSA

Host Suzanne James talks to Dr Nick Carr about the 5 year Voluntary Assisted Dying Review recommendations to be adopted by the Victorian Government

Audio version of Suzanne James book review of "The Power of Choice", by Julian Kingma.