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.

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.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk told reporters she’d provide an update on the voluntary assisted dying Bill when she is ready. Picture: Tertius Pickard

“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.