MP Hugh McDermott held opposes euthanasia bill

PROSPECT state Labor MP Hugh McDermott held his father and stepfather in his arms as they died after battling with cancer. He will vote no if the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill reaches the NSW Lower House.

Prospect MP Hugh McDermott outside of Braeside Hospital in Prairiewood, where local patients can access end of life care. Picture: Carmela Roche

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HUGH McDermott held his father and his stepfather in his arms as they died after hard-fought battles with cancer.

Those experiences will see the Prospect state Labor MP vote against the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill if it comes before the Parliament in a few months.

The controversial Bill seeks to provide a legislative framework that allows terminally ill people to receive assistance to end their lives voluntarily.

“I don’t think the Government should be involved in legislating assisted dying,” Dr McDermott said.

“Instead, we should be putting significantly more funding into palliative care and end of life care to make sure the last days of people’s lives are the best quality they can be.”

Christian Democrats Party MLC Fred Nile looks on as Nationals MLC Trevor Khan presents his Assisted Dying Bill to the Legislative Council on September 21. Picture: Mick Tsikas

Dr McDermott said his stepfather and father both appreciated the final months afforded to them by end of life care.

“My father went through bouts of depression when he was first diagnosed and he wanted to go straight away,” Dr McDermott said.

“He ultimately lasted six months and that was quality time with his family, to make amends, and he wouldn’t have had that otherwise.”

Victoria also has a euthanasia bill before parliament. Victorian Health Minister Jill Hennessy puts forward the bill the day before the NSW one. Picture: Joe Castro

He has heard horror stories about people who have suffered unimaginably in their final days, but Dr McDermott maintains the solution is in better end of life care.

“We can campaign to make sure that if people are facing terminal illness, they are given the best quality of life possible,” Dr McDermott said.

“We really need to have an understanding of what good palliative care looks like and not enough is being spent on things like family support, counselling and pain management.”

ANDREW DENTON TALKS ABOUT THE RIGHT TO DIE

If it reaches the Lower House this year, it will be the most important issue Dr McDermott has ever voted on.

“I think all MPs will feel that burden,” he said.

“If you don’t, you’re not showing that empathy and compassion you need to address this.”

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian opposes the bill, describing voluntary euthanasia as a difficult issue.