Cancer patient Louise Elliot speaks in support of proposed voluntary assisted dying legislation

A Hobart mother and cancer patient has spoken of her fear she could “die in debilitating pain that can’t be managed” if assisted dying legislation set to come before parliament this year doesn’t pass again.

HOBART mother and cancer patient Louise Elliot has spoken of her “debilitating anxiety” that the disease may one day take her life — and the dread of the potential prolonged suffering in front of her family.

Mrs Elliot was first diagnosed in 2016 with stage 3 urothelial cancer of the ureter, the tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder.

TALKING POINT: WE NEED FREEDOM AT THE END OF LIFE

The now 39-year-old — wife of Jonathan and mother of Esther, 4, and nine-month-old Thomas — had been in the clear but, after a recent check-up, was diagnosed with early-stage bladder cancer. She will soon begin treatment and doctors believe they have discovered the latest setback early.

Louise and Jonathan Elliot, of West Hobart, with children Thomas, 9 months, and Esther, 4. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

Mrs Elliot, speaking in support of proposed voluntary assisted dying legislation set to come before parliament this year, said she was determined to fight cancer and did not want to die.

“But I don’t want to die in debilitating pain that can’t be managed,’’ she said.

“If it comes to that, I want to be able to go to sleep peacefully, and my young kids know that mum went into a deep sleep peacefully.”

TALKING POINT: KEEPING A PROMISE TO OUR DEAR MUM

Following extensive consultation on a draft Bill, Mersey MLC Mike Gaffney has released a final consultation version of the Bill, and expects to first table it in the Legislative Council as a private member’s Bill as early as August.

It is the fourth attempt at such legislation in Tasmania, after previous attempts failed in 2009, 2013 and 2016.

The push has been backed by Dying with Dignity Tasmania, but critics like Australian Christian Lobby Tasmanian director Christopher Brohier say the proposed legislation “builds on people’s fear of the future, promoting a sense of despair instead of purpose and endurance.”

Louise Elliot said she was determined to fight cancer and did not want to die. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

But Mrs Elliot said she felt strongly about people having a choice, and was “acutely aware” of her mortality.

“I know myself that 50/50 is probably realistic about my odds,’’ she said.

Mrs Elliot’s husband Jonathan said he supported his wife’s stance, having watched both his parents suffer with and die from cancer.

Mr Gaffney said he admired people who spoke publicly to present their case for voluntary assisted dying to further the case for individuals to have a choice.

Palliative Care Tasmania chief executive Colleen Johnstone said the proposed legislation had opened up positive conversations about dying and palliative care services.

“Anybody who accesses voluntary assisted dying should be expected to receive palliative care up until the very end, and we need to ensure we invest in palliative care in this state,’’ she said.