The transformation has been rapid. Even a decade ago, doctors publicly advocating for voluntary euthanasia in the context of end-of-life care would have been seen as marginal.

Today, you could say that the conscientious objectors, those practitioners concerned about complicity in practices they see as ethically vexed, are experiencing the same fate, that their voices have been rendered silent.

For instance, a controversial NSW amendment bill to allow faith-based aged care homes to refuse participation in voluntary assisted dying (VAD) has just been defeated in the Upper House.

Pushed by Liberal Party Senator Susan Carter, it was opposed by the RACGP NSW&ACT faculty and 17 other medical, legal and seniors’ rights organisations.