Assisted dying laws to be introduced into Victorian parliament

PREMIER Daniel Andrews is urging MPs to support assisted dying laws that will be introduced into parliament after his government gave the green light to the proposed Bill.

Assisted dying laws will be introduced into the Victorian parliament after the Andrews Government gave the green light to the proposed Bill. AAP Image/Joe Castro

ASSISTED dying laws will be introduced into the Victorian parliament after the Andrews Government gave the green light to the proposed Bill.

Premier Daniel Andrews announced all 66 recommendations from an independent advisory panel have been accepted by Cabinet.

The move will pave the way for a Bill allowing terminally ill patients to access euthanasia through a three-step process.

The legislation is to be introduced this year and Mr Andrews urged his MPs to support the move in the parliament.

“Many Victorians are not getting the care they need and by that I mean there are no solutions ... and they are taking matters into their own hands,” he said.

“That is an unacceptable thing. We need reform.

“This will be the safest scheme in the world, with the most rigorous checks and balances.”

An independent panel led by former Australian Medical Association president Professor Brian Owler last week released a proposed framework for Victoria’s first voluntary euthanasia laws that would include 68 strict safeguards and tough coercion penalties.

Labor members will be allowed to vote with their conscience but Attorney-General Martin Pakula and Health Minister Jill Hennessy backed the move publicly.

Mr Pakula said a great deal of work had already been done on the issue hastening the drafting process.

He has previously voted down an assisted dying bill saying he was not confident of the safeguards but said proposed changes allowed him to support the latest plan.

If the law is passed terminally ill adult Victorians, who have less than a year to live, will access to lethal medication 10 days after they tell their doctor.

The medicine will be dispensed at specified pharmacies.

Mr Andrews said medical professionals will assess eligibility but will not be able to suggest the treatment to patients.

The plan has set the scene for an emotionally charged debate among MPs as well as the public.

Mr Andrews declined to comment on whether members of his government had opposed the changes saying he would leave it up to individual members to state their position.

If the laws are passed a review will be carried out in five years.

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said he was against assisted-dying legislation but committed to a conscience vote.

“There are some of us like me who go into this debate with a point of view that’s firm and won’t change,” Mr Guy said.

“A free vote means a free vote.

“I want my colleagues, I want all parliamentarians, to be well educated, to be sensible and mature.”

Greens MP Colleen Hartland said she welcomed the bill.

“I did a private member’s Bill 10 years ago, What I’m expecting is a much better bill, the government has really put good energy into it,” she said.

“I think especially that the health minister has been consultative, she’s spoken to everybody she needs to and so hopefully it will be a Bill that everyone can live with and we can finally pass.”