MEDIA STATEMENT FROM CHA CHAIR ON PASSING OF ASSISTED DYING LAWS IN QLD

Media statement from Catholic Health Australia Chair Hon John Watkins AM

Catholic health and aged care providers are deeply disappointed by a law that so clearly conflicts with their ethic of care.
We have made it clear all along to the Government that we will not allow voluntary assisted dying in our hospitals or aged care facilities, yet the Parliament has passed a law that forces us to do so.
It places us in an invidious and extraordinary position.
Being forced to host VAD in our facilities means having our most deeply held beliefs around the dignity of human life trampled upon.
Many of our members have served their communities with compassion and professionalism for more than a century and will continue to do so even in the face of such a law.
Over the coming months, we will work with the Government on a system that reconciles our beliefs with its laws.