Two MPs against euthanasia to be absent as marathon debate continues

A LABOR MP has lashed out at the Andrews Government as “irresponsible” after a marathon 27-hour parliamentary session saw a colleague taken to hospital in an ambulance.

State MPs continue to debate the Andrews Government’s assisted dying bill. Generic picture: iStock

A LABOR MP has lashed out at the Andrews Government as “irresponsible” after a marathon 27-hour parliamentary session saw a colleague taken to hospital in an ambulance.

Pascoe Vale MP Lizzie Blandthorn said her own party had pushed people “beyond their physical limits” by forcing the debate on voluntary euthanasia to continue all night.

PREMIER DANIEL ANDREWS’ EMOTIONAL EUTHANASIA PLEA

The Legislative Council was eventually adjourned just past midday, and will resume on Tuesday — forcing several MPs to cancel an overseas trip they had planned to investigate youth justice facilities in New Zealand.

This means a decision on the Bill, which would allow for terminally ill Victorians to apply for lethal medication up to six months before their expected death, won’t be made until Tuesday at the earliest.

And... it changes we are sitting next Tuesday to complete the #vad debate #springst https://t.co/RmKpfA3NLC

— Fiona Patten MP (@FionaPattenMLC) November 17, 2017

An ambulance outside state parliament after Labor MP Daniel Mulino suffered an unexpected medical issue during the euthanasia debate. Picture: Alex White.

An ambulance outside state parliament after Labor MP Daniel Mulino suffered an unexpected medical issue during the euthanasia debate. Picture: Alex White

In a day of high drama, Labor MP Daniel Mulino had to be tended to by paramedics after falling ill in his office this morning.

Ms Blandthorn, a staunch euthanasia opponent, said the house should have been adjourned earlier to avoid such health issues.

“I am disappointed at the tactic to force people beyond their physical limits because they think they will get the Bill past by wearing people down — it’s irresponsible,” she said.

Ms Blandthorn also revealed her own anguish at being forced to leave a Lower House debate last month.

Yippee. We’ve made it to clause 7 before 7 #YesWeCan #SpringSt pic.twitter.com/svHRGdtfxD

— Philip Dalidakis MP (@philipdalidakis) November 16, 2017

The view from my desk: the sun's coming up on #springst pic.twitter.com/fLcWX2NEyu

— Margaret Fitzherbert (@FitzherbertMLC) November 16, 2017

Sometimes it’s the little things. Like seeing daylight! #SpringSt pic.twitter.com/H0LDF1pgfo

— Philip Dalidakis MP (@philipdalidakis) November 16, 2017

PLAN TO GIVE TERMINALLY ILL ACCESS TO LETHAL MEDICATION

LAST MINUTE EUTHANASIA CHANGES PUT TO PARLIAMENT

“I am 23 weeks pregnant, and after being in the chamber almost 18 hours straight, at around 4am I was forced to leave the assembly and abandon my most important amendments including the right of all workers to conscientiously object,” she said.

Earlier, Premier Daniel Andrews defended the epic parliamentary session, saying: “I think most people think politicians could work a bit harder.

In committee for 20 hours. Team Filibuster is now reading entire journal articles. Clause 5 of 141. #springst #VAD

— Jaala Pulford MP (@JaalaPulford) November 16, 2017

It's 5.00am on #springst and we're now starting committee consideration of Clause 5 of the #VAD Bill - the work continues.

— Harriet Shing MP (@ShingvWorld) November 16, 2017

Shooters and Fishers Party Daniel Young will be absent from the debate and has urged the government to not push the bill through the upper house. Picture: Mark Wilson

Conservative MP Bernie Finn gets fired up. Picture: Michael Dodge

“There are a lot of people across Victoria who are in a much worse state than our elected members of parliament at the moment.”

Other advocates of the Bill blamed the drawn-out process on opponents filibustering — a term which describes prolonged debate in parliament used to stall the progress.

Government MPs are increasingly confident they have the numbers to get the Bill through the parliament.

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