The ACT Government will spend $3.1 million over two years on the next stage of voluntary assisted dying policy work, including establishing a citizens’ jury to consider how the system should operate when a person loses decision-making capacity late in the process.
The funding, announced as part of the 2026-27 Budget, will support community consultation, policy development and the ongoing work of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Oversight Board.
The citizens’ jury will examine whether people who have already completed the final assessment stage for voluntary assisted dying should still be able to proceed if they later lose decision-making capacity.
The ACT Government says the process will involve input from clinicians, legal experts, carers, consumers and advocacy groups, with recommendations to help shape future laws and safeguards.
The funding package also supports ongoing implementation of the ACT’s voluntary assisted dying framework and related workforce requirements.
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