New research from The Australia Institute has shown that a significant majority of New South Wales voters support the introduction of voluntary assisted dying laws, modelled on Victorian legislation that was passed last year.

The Australia Institute surveyed 1,038 New South Wales residents between 10 and 16 December 2020.

Key results:

• Seven in 10 NSW residents (72%) say that voluntary assisted dying should be legal, compared to 13% who say it should not.
• Coalition voters were among the most supportive of voluntary assisted dying, with 74% backing the reform.
• Three in four NSW residents (75%) support introducing the specific voluntary assisted dying model that was implemented in Victoria last year, including 44% who strongly support it.
• 76% of Coalition, 76% of Labor, 83% of Greens, 73% of One Nation and 62% of Independent/Other voters support voluntary assisted dying laws like those in Victoria.

“New South Wales voters want the right to die with dignity,” said Ben Oquist, executive director of The Australia Institute.

“Victoria has led the way in this space and our research shows that people in New South Wales want their state to follow.

“This is not an easy subject for some in the community to deal with, but it is clear from these results that people in New South Wales want voluntarily assisted dying laws to be enacted.

“This should not be a party political discussion. Voters of all types support this legislation, including 76% of Coalition voters.”