Ms Patricia Rickard-Clarke:

Most people want to have a happy death at the end of their lives. We have a lot to do before we get into that debate. I am happy to engage in it and if the public wants a debate I am sure this committee will facilitate one. However, we are way behind most other jurisdictions in planning for our deaths and facilitating families through bereavement. We have not even put legislation in place in this regard. On the question of professional training, culturally we are also lagging. All of our professions need to be trained to recognise the right to autonomy and self-determination. Once the legal framework has been put in place, considerable training will be required to understand the legislation.