Euthanasia Laws in Queensland Criticized for Lack of Oversight

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Queensland's coroner has slammed the state's euthanasia laws, warning of 'further calamity and heartbreak' if reforms aren't made. The laws, which went into effect on 1 January 2023, have been criticized for their lack of medication safety and prevention of deliberate misuse. The coroner held an inquest after a man died after taking a voluntary assisted dying substance intended for someone else. The decision to permit self-administration without the presence of a medical professional has also been criticized, as it has led to an 'outcome which has caused very significant distress to the family and a life has been unnecessarily lost'.

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