Euthanasia: Queensland’s Alarming Death Shift

Access to euthanasia and assisted suicide became available in Queensland on 1st January 2023.[i] Since the passage of this legislation by the previous Queensland Labor government, annual reports now reveal that up until 30 June 2024, a staggering 1,038 deaths have taken place under these provisions.[ii] These numbers are not merely statistics; they represent a significant shift in the approach Queensland takes toward human life and care for the vulnerable.

In the first six months following the passage of this legislation, the report revealed that 106 deaths occurred by “self-administration” (assisted suicide)[iii] and 139 by “practitioner administration” (euthanasia).[iv] However, subsequent data covering the period from July 2023 to June 2024 reveals a dramatic escalation in these numbers. Deaths by “self-administration” more than doubled, rising from 106 to 261 within eighteen months.[v] Even more concerning is the exponential rise in deaths by “practitioner administration,” which surged from 139 to 532.[vi] This represents a nearly fourfold increase, signalling a rapid and alarming uptake of euthanasia services.

As a percentage of total deaths in Queensland, the first six month’s total of 245 deaths by “voluntary assisted dying” was 1.3% of the total in that time span. The following 12 months saw another 793 deaths which represented 1.9% of all deaths. The VAD review Board also published a quarterly report for July to September 2024. In that period, there were 241 deaths which was 2.4% of all deaths. The clear upward trend is to be expected when the state legitimises killing.[vii]

These escalating numbers should not be viewed as neutral data points but as indicators of a harrowing and developing trend. For Queensland, this is deeply concerning because it suggests the inception of a cultural shift in which the intentional ending of life is becoming a more common response to suffering and terminal illness. The steep rise in euthanasia cases point to gaps in palliative care provision, societal attitudes that increasingly view some lives as less worth living and insufficient support for those facing end-of-life challenges. Rather than addressing the underlying causes of suffering the state’s healthcare system is normalising death as a solution.

Further analysis of the report reveals other concerning trends. The median age of those requesting access to voluntary assisted dying is 74.[viii] While some may interpret this as older individuals making autonomous decisions, it also raises serious questions about how society views ageing and the inherent value of life in later years. Are older Queenslanders being subtly led to believe that their lives are burdensome? Is there sufficient psychological, social, and palliative care support for this demographic?

Additionally, the primary prognosis for 75.5% of those assessed was cancer.[ix] Cancer diagnoses are undoubtedly associated with profound suffering, but modern palliative care has made significant advances in managing pain and improving quality of life. If euthanasia becomes the path of least resistance, it represents a failure of the healthcare system to provide genuine life-affirming options. It also reduces the stimulus to search for improvements in treatments including new methods of symptom relief.

Moreover, the review board made four key recommendations:[x] Improving healthcare workers’ awareness of the voluntary assisted dying process; enhancing understanding among general practitioners regarding their rights and responsibilities; reviewing the current pharmacy model, which centralises distribution to a single location; and committing to further research. While these recommendations may appear procedural, they implicitly promote the further entrenchment of euthanasia practices in Queensland’s healthcare system and serve to insidiously expand the practice as a part of the healthcare system.

This trend is troubling for Queensland because it further erodes the ethical foundations that prioritise the protection of vulnerable lives. Vulnerable individuals—especially the elderly, disabled, or those with chronic illnesses—may feel implicit pressure to choose death to avoid becoming a burden on their families or the healthcare system.

To conclude, these concerning statistics and trends should prompt urgent reflection by the new government. At Cherish Life we call for a renewed emphasis on palliative care, mental health support, and life-affirming alternatives that uphold the inherent worth of every human life.

[i] Queensland Government. “Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2021” Accessed February 26, 2025. https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/view/html/asmade/act-2021-017

[ii] Queensland Government. “Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board annual reports” Accessed February 26, 2025. https://www.health.qld.gov.au/research-reports/reports/departmental/voluntary-assisted-dying-review-board-annual-report

[iii] Queensland Government. “Annual Report 2022-2023.” 10. Accessed February 26, 2025. https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0024/1261185/vad-annual-report-2022-23.pdf

[iv] Queensland Government. “Annual Report 2022-2023.” 10. Accessed February 26, 2025. https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0024/1261185/vad-annual-report-2022-23.pdf

[v] Queensland Government. “Queensland Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board Annual Report 2023-2024.” 10. Accessed February 26, 2025. https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/1362124/vad-annual-report-2023-24.pdf

[vi] Queensland Government. “Queensland Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board Annual Report 2023-2024.” 10. Accessed February 26, 2025. https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/1362124/vad-annual-report-2023-24.pdf

[vii] Australian Care Alliance. “Queensland (2023-).” Accessed March 3, 2025. https://www.australiancarealliance.org.au/queensland

[viii] Queensland Government. “Queensland Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board Annual Report 2023-2024.” 11. Accessed February 26, 2025. https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/1362124/vad-annual-report-2023-24.pdf

[ix] Queensland Government. “Queensland Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board Annual Report 2023-2024.” 13. Accessed February 26, 2025. https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/1362124/vad-annual-report-2023-24.pdf

[x] Queensland Government. “Queensland Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board Annual Report 2023-2024.” 13. Accessed February 26, 2025. https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/1362124/vad-annual-report-2023-25-26.pdf