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AAP
AAP
Health
Tim Dornin

SA assisted dying laws to start next year

Peter Malinauskas says a lot of work is needed to set up the SA's voluntary assisted dying regime. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

South Australia's voluntary euthanasia laws will take full effect from early next year.

The legislation, which passed state parliament more than a year ago, was officially gazetted this week.

That allows for some administration aspects to take effect from September and the full regime to start from the end of January.

Premier Peter Malinauskas said since coming to office, the Labor government had worked hard to make sure the parliament's and the people's will was put into action.

"There's actually a lot of work to get this up and running," he told reporters on Friday.

"We're making sure that we take that legislation and facilitate the regulatory regime and the funding that's required to ensure the practice of voluntary assisted dying is done safely and in accordance with the law."

The Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill was put to a conscience vote, passing the SA parliament on its 17th attempt in 25 years.

It includes 68 safeguards and a provision that people wishing to die must be SA residents for at least 12 months.

A terminal diagnosis and a life expectancy of less than six months, or 12 months for a person with a neurodegenerative disease, must be confirmed for a patient to access the procedure.

The bill also requires patients show they have decision-making capacity and are capable of informed consent, and that they undergo an assessment by two independent medical practitioners.

They must have their request verified by two independent witnesses and must be experiencing intolerable suffering that cannot be relieved.

The SA bill was based on similar legislation enacted in Victoria.

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