Euthanasia scheme given the go-ahead in historic day for Victoria

EMOTIONAL Victorian MPs reacted with tears, hugs and smiles when the state’s controversial assisted dying bill passed in the Upper House today, giving terminally-ill patients the ability to apply for lethal medication within 18 months.

HUNDREDS of terminally-ill patients will be able to apply for lethal medication within 18 months, after parliament yesterday approved Victoria’s first voluntary euthanasia scheme.

In a historic day in the Legislative Council, 22 of 40 MPs in parliament’s Upper House backed the Andrews Government’s Bill.

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The Bill will next week return to the Legislative Assembly for the Lower House to ratify some amendments made to satisfy crossbench and Liberal MPs in the Upper House.

Exhausted MLCs had sat for more than 28 hours before the vote was held.

MPs react after the Upper House voted to pass historic euthanasia laws after a marathon 28-hour special sitting. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

Greens MPs Colleen Hartland and Samantha Dunn weep and embrace. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

Gavin Jennings MP is congratulated as the bill passes. Picture: Getty

Describing yesterday’s result as “historic”, Premier Daniel Andrews said it would provide the “care, compassion and control that so many people have been missing in the last part of their lives”.

The 11th-hour amendments to the Bill have included a tightening of the time frame under which people can apply for euthanasia from 12 months to six months, other than for neurodegenerative disorders.

Other amendments bolstered funding for palliative care, and created stricter residency requirements — including that dying patients live in Victoria for a year before they can apply for medication.

The leader of the government in the Legislative Council, Gavin Jennings — who answered questions from the Bill’s opponents for most of the marathon parliamentary session — said euthanasia campaigners had fought for the reforms with “humanity and compassion”.

Jaala Pulford is congratulated by fellow MPs Harriet Shing and Fiona Patten. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

MPs reacted with tears and hugs during the historic moment. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

“This is a momentous day in the parliament of Victoria,” Mr Jennings said.

Liberal and conservative MPs railed against the plan. Critics including Inga Peulich and Bernie Finn argued it was “flawed policy” and dangerous.

Former prime minister Tony Abbott last night said it was “dreadful news”.

The Australian Christian Lobby, vowing to campaign against euthanasia until next year’s election, hoped a change of government could avert the plan before its June 2019 start.

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Labor MP Jaala Pulford is comforted by Gavin Jennings after speaking about the death of her daughter. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Victorian Labor MPs Jaclyn Symes and Jaala Pulford are seen after Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2017 passed. Picture: AAP Image/David Crosling

The scheme, once the new amendments pass the Legislative Assembly, will allow for terminally ill adults to apply for lethal medication up to six months before they are expected to die. They must be of sound mind, and their request must have been approved by two doctors.

Three requests must be made over 10 days, including in front of a witness who is neither a relative nor stands to benefit from the person’s will.

Lethal drugs will have to be kept in a locked box, and be self-administered.

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