Sex offender becomes first NSW inmate to use voluntary assisted dying

A convicted sex offender with terminal cancer has passed away in hospital, becoming the first inmate to use the voluntary assisted dying scheme in New South Wales.

Daniel Hume had been serving seven years of his 30-year sentence when he accessed the controversial scheme, sparking fierce debate about eligibility criteria.

Victim advocates argue applications should be reserved for “good, decent people, not those convicted of vile crimes”, raising questions about whether criminals should have access to assisted dying.

News Director James Royce from Southern Cross Austereo said while Hume may have met the objective criteria, he believed “people get what they deserve”.

“If he had a long, slow, painful death, I think I’d be pretty comfortable with that,” Royce said during a panel discussion.

Kimberley Braddish from The Nightly suggested there was “some kind of silver lining” in that taxpayers would save money on 23 years less incarceration costs.

A Justice Health spokesman said the organisation remains committed to providing high-quality health care with specific eligibility requirements.

The case has raised concerns about setting a dangerous precedent for criminals seeking to access voluntary assisted dying schemes.

Hume’s death marks a significant milestone in NSW’s assisted dying legislation, though the controversy surrounding his case highlights ongoing community divisions about who should be eligible for the scheme.