Mersey MLC Mike Gaffney begins second reading of voluntary assisted dying Bill in Tasmania’s Legislative Council

The fourth attempt at voluntary assisted dying legislation in Tasmania in 11 years has started to be debated by Tasmanian parliamentarians in the state’s Legislative Council.

• If you’re after the top news, we deliver — free to your inbox
• Confidence voluntary assisted dying legislation will pass

MIKE Gaffney’s voice trembled as he delivered an impassioned and emotional speech in Tasmania’s Legislative Council on Tuesday about voluntary assisted dying.

Fighting back tears on occasions, the Mersey MLC spoke at length about the legislation he has introduced as a private member’s Bill, the fourth bid in Tasmania to make VAD legal.

In a two-hour speech as part of the Bill’s second reading, Mr Gaffney said if the legislation was successful, it would give people “reassurance and comfort” of knowing they had the option to potentially access it.

Mr Gaffney challenged fellow MLCs to remind themselves about why they had put their hand up to represent their respective communities.

“At some point we all made a commitment to make this state a better place. That is why we choose to be here,’’ he said.

“Honourable members, I know we disagree on many things in this chamber and sometimes outside, but during this debate I hope we can all agree to put our communities’ wants and needs at the forefront of our thinking.”

TALKING POINT: THE RIGHT BILL, AT THE RIGHT TIME, FOR TASMANIA

He rejected suggestions the Bill amounted to suicide, saying it was “humane, safeguarded and compassionate”.

Mr Gaffney said Tasmanians had been denied the opportunity to legally end intolerable suffering and they deserved freedom to choose.

He told many harrowing stories from submissions on the Bill, and highlighted the experience of sisters Jacqui and Natalie Gray, who were in the public gallery of the chamber.

They formed Your Choice Tasmania to campaign for VAD legislation after the death of their mother Diane last year from stomach cancer, and have said their mother endured intolerable pain leading up to her passing.

Sisters Natalie and Jacqui Gray look on as Mersey MLC, Michael Gaffney talks during the second reading of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill in the Tasmanian Legislative Council. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Murchison MLC Ruth Forrest said the Bill would be one of the most challenging she has considered.

Ms Forrest questioned the level of consultation done with medical professionals in the preparation of the Bill.

And in reference to the many submissions to the legislation, including those which told of intolerable pain and suffering leading to one’s death, she spoke of her broader concerns about the issue.

“If we really are seeing such a high number of deaths in Tasmania where pain and suffering is not well managed or relieved, we need an inquiry into this,’’ she said.

Independent MLC, Michael Gaffney talks during the second reading of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill at the Tasmanian Legislative Council. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Newly-elected Rosevears MLC Jo Palmer, said her own experience as a child had formed her views on the issue.

Ms Palmer said when she was 11, her father asked her to help him end his life, but she “simply couldn’t do it”.

“Years later, indeed on the night of my grade 10 formal when my mum took me all dressed up to the nursing home where he lived, he thanked me for walking away,’’ she said.

“My father would have been eligible for VAD under this Bill.

“Years later, this would have been the wrong decision.”

But she said while door knocking during her campaign, she found the majority of people she spoke to supported VAD.

Labor MLC for Rumney Sarah Lovell said she believed the majority of Tasmanians supported the legislation and said “the time has come” for it to become law.

Liberal MLC for Montgomery Leonie Hiscutt said VAD was an issue she struggled with “on a huge scale” — and accused some people on either side of the debate of being disrespectful of one another.

MLCs will further debate and suggest amendments to the Bill in coming weeks.

If the legislation passes the Upper House, it will face a conscience vote in the House of Assembly.

Previous attempts at similar legislation in 2009, 2013 and 2017 were foiled after they failed to pass through the House of Assembly.

Follow @cwhiteley12