Conscience vote plan may deeply divide LNP

Queensland’s Opposition Leader has been praised by the pro-euthanasia lobby for allowing MPs a conscience vote on VAD.

Queensland Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington. Picture: AAP

Queensland Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington has been praised by the pro-euthanasia lobby for ­allowing the LNP to “lead the way” on voluntary ­assisted dying reform in the state, even though it is against party ­policy.

In an interview with The Australian, Ms Frecklington said she intended on giving her MPs a conscience vote on the issue, a move that has angered the ­religious right of her party.

Clem Jones Trust chair David Muir said the LNP leader “ought to be congratulated” at a time when Queenslanders were ­pressing Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to commit to VAD reform before the next state election.

“An overwhelming number of Queenslanders are urgently seeking VAD law reform as evidenced in submissions before the current state parliamentary inquiry,” Mr Muir said. “LNP parliamentarians like Jann Stuckey have publicly stated that they want to vote on VAD law reform before they retire at the next ­election.

“Ironically, the LNP may be leading the way on VAD law reform, even though it is not party policy.”

Former Brisbane lord mayor Clem Jones left $5m in his will to support euthanasia law reform in Australia. The Clem Jones Trust helped to fund Go Gentle Australia, which successfully advocated for a change to the law in Victoria.

Ms Frecklington declined to reveal her personal position on euthanasia, saying only that “no one should have to die in pain” and more public funding should be dedicated to palliative care.

Anti-euthanasia lobby groups say they are concerned about Ms Frecklington’s approach.