Tammy Tyrrell (Tasmania, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I've met some fabulous people, and Veney Hiller, from Palliative Care Tasmania, is one of them. She is the sort of person with whom it's impossible to have an awkward conversation, yet that's exactly what she wants us all to do. If you missed it, they have been running a campaign: 'This weekend, have an awkward conversation.' It's all about having the conversation we never have or put off until it's too late, to let our loved ones know what we'd like to happen if the very worst takes place and we can't communicate.

Gill Savell, an advocate for palliative care, summed it up perfectly:

Death doesn't discriminate, and it doesn't make appointments. A sudden stroke or dementia could steal someone's ability to communicate their wishes and make decisions.

This is something that's really close to my heart. My mum passed away from health issues at 51 years old. I remember being with her when she passed, but we didn't get to have the conversation—and I truly wish we had. It was a really difficult time for me and my family, and it was so much harder because we hadn't talked about her final wishes.

As I'm getting older, I've had to think about what matters to me and share my wishes with my family, if I can't speak or respond—although I have to be careful, as they might quite like it if I don't say a word at all! This weekend I'm going to encourage my family and friends to do the same—to be like me and make a start, no matter how difficult it might be. If you're still unsure, Palliative Care Tasmania has an 'awkward conversation' website with everything you need to get started, with lots of information, advice and support.

We must have that awkward conversation with our families about what we want if the worst should happen. The last thing I want is for my family to be left in the same position I was when my mum died. That's why I'm having these awkward conversations, and I hope you do too.