Parliamentary Friends of Palliative Care reconvened

Hon Nick Goiran MLC and Hon Kate Doust MLC recently convened the first meeting of the Parliamentary Friends of Palliative Care in the 42nd Parliament of Western Australia.

Palliative Care WA very much appreciates Mr Goiran and Ms Doust’s ongoing support and commitment to quality palliative care in this State. We also thank the other Members of Parliament who attended the presentation and for their interest in this very important topic.

Guest speaker at the meeting was Dr Ashwini Davray, a palliative care consultant who gave a thought provoking presentation on palliative care provision.

Mr Goiran was the co-convenor of this friendship group since its inception in 2013 alongside Margaret Quirk, who retired at the March 2025 State election.

He said he was delighted that Hon Kate Doust MLC had agreed to join him in this important work and was honoured to work alongside her. From 22 May this year, Ms Doust and Mr Goiran would be the most longstanding parliamentarians from their respective parties.

The Parliamentary Friends of Palliative Care is open for Members from either House of Parliament of Western Australia, and any party to join.

The purpose of the Parliamentary Friends of Palliative Care is:

• to facilitate communication between people and organisations working in palliative care and Members of Parliament
• to provide opportunities for Members of Parliament to learn about palliative care needs and services and the issues involved in palliative care provision
• to increase awareness and raise the profile of palliative care in the community generally
• to promote an understanding of palliative care in accordance with the World Health Organization’s definition of palliative care, noting in particular that palliative care “intends neither to hasten or postpone death”, and that this definition of palliative care has been endorsed by Palliative Care Australia and Palliative Care WA.