Qld euthanasia laws: LNP members to get conscience vote

He’ll give his MPs a free vote on this life-and-death issue, but LNP leader David Crisafulli is personally taking the position of his predecessor.

Newly minted Queensland LNP leader David Crisafulli will grant his MPs a conscience vote when euthanasia laws are introduced next year.

But the Member for Broadwater has refused to say if he supports the idea of voluntary assisted dying, instead saying he wanted to see the legislation first.

His comments echo those of his predecessor Deb Frecklington, who had refused to say whether she personally supported it but had promised to grant MPs a conscience vote.

And former LNP premier Campbell Newman has lobbied for legalised euthanasia since the death of his mother, former federal minister Jocelyn Newman, with Alzheimer’s disease.

The Queensland Law Reform Commission is currently drafting legislation for the State Government, with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk pledging to introduce laws in February next year.

Mr Crisafulli told The Sunday Mail he would always support a conscience vote on matters of life and death.

“It would be irresponsible of me to comment either positively or negatively, on legislation that I have not seen,” he said.

LNP leader David Crisafulli in Parliament. Picture: Annette Dew

During the Queensland Media Club’s leaders debate during the state election campaign last month, Ms Palaszczuk said she personally supported euthanasia and would be offering a conscience vote to her MPs.

“I consider myself a Christian,” she said at the time.

“I hold deep Christian values but it’s not for me to tell other people how to end their lives.”

The QLRC released a 176-page consultation paper on October 16, inviting submissions on 50 key issues.

Those submissions closed on Friday, with the commission expected to update the public about the progress of its review in coming weeks.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in Parliament. Picture: Annette Dew

Ms Palaszczuk forced the QLRC to rush its drafting of laws last month, when she announced legislation to legalise euthanasia would be introduced in February.

The commission had previously been asked to draft laws by March.

Ms Palaszczuk said she would give the commission extra resources so they could report earlier.

Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper, who chairs the parliamentary Health and Environment Committee, said the overwhelming message following the mammoth inquiry into euthanasia and palliative care was to introduce legislation.

“I’m very pleased the Premier has already publicly said she would introduce a bill around VAD to give people choice and that’s fundamentally what that’s about,” he said.

“There is a clear opportunity now to debate that legislation.

“I look forward to seeing a Bill being introduced.”