Dr. Cameron McLaren:

I thank Senator Hoey. Yes, absolutely, we have had changes in permits and processes that then make patients practically not able to proceed with the treatment they wished. That has been regrettable. Some people would say that they are going to die soon anyway and we will make them comfortable, but we are still talking about not honouring their wish. That really is important, not only for that patient and for our role in advocating for that patient but also in the memory of that for the family and what they have left behind.

There is a lot of talk about coercion but we really do not have problems with that. What we see is advocacy for the patient from the family. They say their dad wanted this or this is the last thing that he wanted and I am going to get it for him. They come out and find the information and get all the documents we need. They work really hard and then it gets to the point and, unfortunately, that is no longer a possibility. That part of that process really made me recognise what some people would call the soft skill requirement for our profession and the art of what we do, and how to navigate that space in a way that is very sensitive to have a predictable outcome and understanding from that family in order that they accept that and we are still able to focus on the palliative care of that patient as they enter their terminal phase.

On the appetite for reform, I think it is difficult. It is very time dependent. The Senator will know better than I will how bloody the political floor can be sometimes and how often one has to pick one's battles. The appetite for reform is fluctuant based on whatever else is going on as well. My interaction with our Members of Parliament is that often, the appetite is there but they will say that they have three items of legislation or Bills that they have to debate first and they might have something to bring in around May. It is, therefore, difficult. I cannot speak to the referendum. Dr. Chapman has given that response. I will say that I think this legislation is for people who are dying and people who have terminal illnesses.

If it was possible to conduct a referendum solely of those people of that particular part of your population, that would be very informative. It makes it more complex when it is broader.