Last Words: Voluntary Assisted Dying

Andrew DentonThe Wheeler Centre will present Andrew Denton, Hon. Betty King and Dr Phillip Parente on Tuesday 20 April 2021, 6:30pm at the Malthouse Theatre (Outdoor Stage), in South Melbourne.


For years, the topic of Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) has sent moral and ethical ripples through Australian political, civil and personal debate. Since VAD legislation came into effect in Victoria in June 2019, more than one hundred people have received legal and medical assistance to die.

In this important panel discussion at the Malthouse Outdoor Stage, we’ll hear from broadcaster and VAD advocate Andrew Denton and The Hon. Betty King QC, Chair of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board, along with medical and legal experts and those whose lives are impacted by the controversial legislation. Hot on the tail of the second season of Denton’s podcast, Better Off Dead
https://www.wheelercentre.com/broadcasts/podcasts/better-off-dead
(co-produced by Go Gentle Australia and the Wheeler Centre), they’ll discuss the personal, political and societal dimensions of VAD, the impact of the Victorian legislation, and the current and future status of VAD across the country. Hosted by Paul Barclay.

Content warning: This event includes discussion of death, euthanasia and terminal illness. This event is not about suicide. If you are interested in increasing your understanding of suicide and how to support someone experiencing suicidal ideation, visit the Conversations Matter or beyondblue websites.

Presented in partnership with Malthouse Outdoor Stage

Speakers

Andrew Denton
Andrew Denton is widely recognised as one of Australian media’s genuinely creative forces.

Betty King
Justice Betty King QC is Chairperson of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board and a former judge of the Supreme Court of Victoria. Her Honour joined the Victorian Bar in 1975 and practised in the criminal jurisdictions for both defence and prosecution. She was a Prosecutor for the Queen for the State of Victoria from 1986 until her appointment as the first Prosecutor for the Queen for the Commonwealth in 1989.

In 1992 she was appointed Queen’s Counsel. She became a judge of the County Court of Victoria in 2000 and a judge of the Supreme Court of Victoria in 2005 until her retirement in 2015.

Dr Phillip Parente
A/Prof Phillip Parente trained at Monash University graduating with First Class Honours in 1993. His current role is the Director of Cancer Services Eastern Health. His main areas of interest are Genitourinary Cancers, Lung Cancers and Melanoma and he is considered a clinical lead in these areas of oncology. With respect to oncology research he is principal investigator of numerous trials in his areas of interest. This has translated to numerous publications and presentations at local and international oncological conferences.

Bookings:
Cost: $34:50, bookings must be done in pairs
Malthouse Theatre

 

Last Words: Voluntary Assisted Dying

 


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