Daniel Andrews first to embark on assisted suicide push

Victoria’s Daniel ­Andrews will lead the nation’s first-ever ­government push to legalise assisted suicide.

Premier Daniel Andrews is expected to announce his support for doctor assisted dying tomorrow, drawing on the experience of his ­father Bob, who this year died after a long battle with cancer. Picture: Hamish Blair

Victorian Premier Daniel ­Andrews has reportedly ­reversed his pre-election stance on assisted suicide and will lead the nation’s first-ever ­government push to legalise it.

Mr Andrews is expected to announce his support for doctor-assisted dying tomorrow, drawing on the experience of his ­father Bob, who this year died after a long battle with cancer.

The government will introduce a bill to legalise doctor- ­assisted dying as part of its ­response to a Victorian parliamentary inquiry into life choices, Channel 7 reported last night.

The Andrews government push would be unique as it would be the first euthanasia legislation in Australia sponsored by a state government rather than as a private members bill. There have been 28 private members bills on the issue introduced to state parliaments which have all failed, most recently in South Australia.

Mr Andrews, who has not confirmed his change of position, said in September he would consider the recommendations from the inquiry, which suggested legalising assisted suicide but with strong safeguards.

He added this week that it was important for leaders to shape their views based on ­experience.

“One of the important parts, when you are given the opportunity to lead your state, is that you have to have an open mind to things and you have to allow your own personal experiences and the experiences of others to help shape your views,” he said.

“Our family has been through some very challenging circumstances. That doesn’t make us special — it is something that many families go through every single day.”

Half the cabinet came out in support of a change in the laws in September, with the process being driven by Health Minister Jill Hennessy, who would only say last night the government was finalising its response to the inquiry into end-of-life choices.

The legislation is expected to be cautious and moderate so it wins the support of a broad section of the community and avoid perceptions it could lead to a “slippery slope” or the early killing of disabled people.

Those likely eligible will be terminally-ill patients whose suffering cannot be alleviated through palliative care, as recommended by the committee.

The committee also recommended that a person must be a Victorian resident, of able mind and there must be a second recommendation from an independent doctor. Labor and Coalition will allow a conscience vote on the bill, so its passage through the lower and upper houses is not guaranteed.

Former Northern Territory chief minister Marshall Perron was the nation’s first leader to push for assisted suicide through a private members bill in 1995.

The bill was passed by the Territory parliament but the commonwealth reversed it in 1997. Federal Parliament does not have the power to overturn a change in the law from the states.

“If it’s correct that is great news from the movement’s point of view. We are hoping the ­Andrews government will introduce government legislation on the subject,” Mr Perron said.

Sex Party leader Fiona ­Patten, who was a member of the committee, said Victoria was on the verge of history.