Former Brisbane lord mayor's millions fund euthanasia push

The multi-million dollar estate left by former Brisbane lord mayor Clem Jones will be used to help drive a campaign to legalise voluntary euthanasia in Queensland.

Mr Jones, who was Brisbane mayor from 1961 to 1975, bequeathed most of his estate to a charitable foundation to be directed to a number of causes, including up to $5 million to help campaign for voluntary euthanasia across the country.

Former Brisbane lord mayor Clem Jones.

Clem Jones Trust chairman David Muir said on Tuesday that after supporting the successful push for assisted dying laws in Victoria last year, the trust would now back a campaign in the former lord mayor's home state.

Mr Muir called on MPs to back a wide-ranging public inquiry into the issue.

"We have seen recent law reforms made in Victoria and an inquiry is underway through the WA parliament. So why not in Queensland?

"Unlike other states, the Queensland parliament has not debated this important subject and that should not continue in the new 56th parliament."

He said the trust would be advocating for MPs on all sides to address the issue, saying current laws left people with the choice of enduring intolerable suffering or breaking the law to end their life.

"We should not continue to force people to take things into their own hands because of a lack of law reform that would give them a lawful and dignified death in a strictly regulated environment," he said.

Queensland MPs will take their seats in parliament on February 13 for the first time since last year's state election.

AAP