Premier hits back on potential assisted dying changes
The Premier has hit back at journalists probing whether there will be any changes to her groundbreaking assisted dying Bill which will be debated this week.
QLD Politics
Don't miss out on the headlines from QLD Politics. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has snapped back at journalists questioning whether last-minute changes will be introduced on the state’s groundbreaking voluntary assisted dying legislation.
The landmark Bill is due to be discussed by cabinet on Monday before it is debated by the state’s 93 MPs – minus quarantined LNP frontbencher John-Paul Langbroek – from Tuesday.
Ms Palaszczuk created uncertainty last week when she flagged potential changes to the Bill following vocal opposition from the leaders of faith-based organisations, who called for more powers to prevent the practice occurring at their facilities.
The Premier on Monday morning refused to say when Queensland MPs and the public would be able to consider any changes introduced by cabinet.
“You might not hear about it this afternoon but you’ll hear about it when I’m ready to tell you about it,” Ms Palaszczuk told journalists.
“We’ll be debating it this week.
“I urge everyone to be respectful in their debate, it’s a deeply personal issue for a lot of people.”
Ms Palaszczuk said the legislation had been carefully crafted with input from the Queensland community and legal experts.
“It has been through a very thorough process, it has gone through a very consultative process right across Queensland,” she said.
“The Law Reform Commission has done an excellent job in producing that Bill that we introduced into parliament.”
The Sunday-Mail revealed the landmark Bill is set to pass with at least 43 MPs of the 47 required committing to supporting the proposal.
Ms Palaszczuk and the government’s four most senior ministers – with the exception of Treasurer Cameron Dick who did not respond – said they would support the Bill.
More Coverage
Guest list: Dutton’s $25k-a-head Brisbane fundraising soiree
Peter Dutton’s election fighting fund was boosted by more than $320,000 after a $25,000-a-head fundraiser at the home of a billionaire Brisbane businessman. SEE WHO ATTENDED
‘I have no doubt we will win’: Dutton’s bold declaration on election eve
With a federal election expected to be called any day now, the man who wants to be Australia’s next prime minister tells Frances Whiting in an exclusive interview the ‘underdog’ LNP will win.