Our Autumn Newsletter 2026 aims to bring everyone up-to-date with the latest developments regarding voluntary assisted dying (VAD) laws in Western Australia. 

In his President's Report, Steve Walker describes his disappointment and frustration with the WA Government's response to our calls for collaboration in regard to possible improvements to the WA Voluntary Assisted Dying Act.

"We were bluntly told that the government has decided that it is unwilling to consider any amendment of any kind to the Act, no matter how minor or uncontroversial it might be. Not only that, the Minister was unwilling to meet with us. She and her government will not discuss the Act, or VAD processes, or our campaign," he said.

Steve Walker also reports on his recent trip to Colombia where he took the opportunity to visit the office of the Colombian equivalent of Dying with Dignity. His report highlights some significant differences between the two VAD laws. As he says, "Colombia joined the small but growing group of countries which are showing the way to meeting the public’s clamour for voluntary assisted dying to extend, in particular, to those impacted by dementia in the last stages of life."

Dinny Laurence provides a brief summary of the fourth VAD Board Report for the year from 1st July 2024 to 30th June 2025. She also summarises DWDWA's new, multi-faceted campaign which aims to raise community awareness and understanding of the voluntary assisted dying process.

An article titled 'The Good Death Lottery' addresses the question - "Is Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) a type of Palliative Care (PC) or is it an alternative?"