Veteran journalist Iain Finlay, aged 89, chose to end his life through voluntary assisted dying at his home in New South Wales after battling amyloidosis, a rare and incurable disease. Finlay, a former reporter for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), had been suffering from the debilitating effects of amyloidosis, which causes severe organ damage due to the buildup of amyloid proteins. Facing unbearable pain and difficulty breathing, he opted for euthanasia, surrounded by his partner of 60 years, Trish Clark, and their children, Zara and Sean.

Finlay had been preparing for this moment for years, researching euthanasia as a practical option. Despite participating in a trial for amyloidosis, the treatment proved ineffective, leading him to choose voluntary assisted dying as a means to control the end of his life. Before his death, he expressed that while the process would be traumatic for his family, it allowed him to have some control over his final moments.

Iain Finlay's distinguished journalism career spanned decades. He began by covering the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games for United Press and later became the Southeast Asia correspondent for ABC, where he worked on the program "This Day Tonight" for eight years. During his career, he interviewed numerous notable figures, including Ella Fitzgerald, Muhammad Ali, and former US President Richard Nixon.

His son, Sean Finlay, shared a touching tribute on Instagram, detailing his father's 18-month battle with amyloidosis. Sean described how the disease caused increasing breathlessness and excruciating pain, eventually leading to his father's inability to stand or walk. The decision for voluntary assisted dying was made by Iain, with the full support of his family, and was approved after three consultations with doctors. The medication was administered on May 6, 2025.

Several countries have legalized euthanasia or medically assisted dying, including New Zealand, which introduced its law in 2021. This law allows adults with terminal illnesses and a life expectancy of fewer than six months to opt for assisted dying if they are experiencing unbearable suffering. Other countries with similar laws include the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Canada, Belgium, and Colombia.