Voluntary assisted dying debate enters second day in Queensland Parliament

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk  insists her government will not be "tampering" with the voluntary assisted dying Bill, as emotional MPs revealed their thoughts on the proposed new laws.

A stoic Annastacia Palaszczuk has spoken of how she regrets not helping her grandmother in her final days and the loss of her uncle as she insisted her government would not be "tampering" with the voluntary-assisted dying Bill.

Speaking during today's debate, the Premier said she would strongly support the laws and that her views had been formed by the people of Queensland. 

But she said Queensland wasn't ready for the laws 10 years ago. 

FOLLOW DAY TWO OF THE DEBATE IN OUR BLOG BELOW

"This has been a gradual coming of age for Queensland ... in realising that they each have their own personal stories," she said. 

Ms Palaszczuk said her family had dealt with the loss of her grandmother and her uncle just three months apart. 

"He had the best possible care in the hospital but I think he would have preferred a more dignified death," she said. 

"With my Nanna, my mother rang me this morning and asked when I was speaking on this Bill and said can you please remember Nanna.

"And I do remember her.

"In fact I have not brought myself to go back to her gravesite since the funeral.

"During the final time in her life she rang me and said I'm in pain and I actually couldn't go and see her because I had work, and to this day I will always regret not going and helping her during that time.

"She was crying out in pain during the last 48 hours but she lived a good life to 95."

While paying tribute to former MPs, Ms Palaszczuk said everyone voting would be doing so according to their conscience, and that she respected the conscience of her caucus. 

"We have been open to suggestions from entities run by faith-based organisations who are concerned about their institutional conscientious objection," she said. 

"Queensland Health will be developing guidelines pertaining to entities including faith-based organisations who do not wish to participate.

"We are not tampering with that Bill because we let the experts get that Bill right.

"I stand by that Bill that was introduced into this Parliament."

She said the development of guidelines was a "clear sign" that her government listens.

Ms Palaszczuk said it was about choice.

"This is about not me or about anyone else ... telling someone else what to do," she said.

"Dignity is a word that I hold dear to me.

"There should be and there must be dignity in death."

Here's a quick Q&A explaining the Bill, which is expected to pass on Thursday.

What's being proposed under the laws?

Voluntary-assisted dying would be available to eligible Queenslanders who are expected to die within 12 months from a condition they consider intolerable. The scheme would not be available to someone because they have a disability or mental illness. 

Who is eligible?

The person accessing the scheme must be able to make their own decision at the time the substance is administered. They must have an eligible condition, be acting voluntarily and without coercion and be at least 18-years-old. Two independent doctors must have separately assessed the person. 

Are the laws expected to pass?

Yes. The Bill requires 47 votes to pass, which is expected on Thursday. 

When would the laws come into effect?

January, 2023.

What about faith-based organisations which don't wish to provide voluntary-assisted dying?

While faith-based organisations have raised concerns they would have little power to conscientiously object, the Palaszczuk government has not moved any amendments. It has insisted no organisation will be forced to provide the scheme and that measures were in place to assist.