Hundreds of terminally ill patients are expected to end their lives next year when the state’s voluntary assisted dying laws come into effect. 

From January 1, voluntary assisted dying will become legal in Queensland, almost 15 months after the legislation passed in parliament.

Based on modelling from Victoria and Western Australia, there could be between 380 and 430 voluntary deaths through the scheme next year.

Keith McNeil, the chair of Queensland’s VAD implementation taskforce told Sofie Formica many people who enter the scheme won’t go through with a voluntary assisted death.

“Our modelling suggests that somewhere just over a thousand people are likely to put their hand up in the first twelve months,” he said.

“We know from interstate experience that even when people … [are] given the substance, et cetera, they don’t actually go through with it.

“That’s taken to mean there is a comfort in knowing it’s an option but it’s never exercised.”

Press PLAY below to hear why Professor McNeil is confident the laws are safe 

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