Tasmania’s Legislative Council passes euthanasia Bill

Not even the birth of a baby could stop Natalie Gray from witnessing the historic vote for a Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill in the Upper House earlier today. TIMELINE + WHAT HAPPENS NEXT >>

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A TINY newborn was on hand in state parliament on Tuesday for a historic moment inspired by the grandmother she never met.

A Bill to allow people suffering from a terminal illness to choose to end their life has passed the Legislative Council, in a significant step towards creating a voluntary assisted dying framework for Tasmania.

Lead petitioners and Your Choice Tas founders Jacqui and Natalie Gray were present for the long-awaited moment.

Sisters and lead petitioners, Jacqui and Natalie Gray and Natalie's 4 day old daughter Tilly as the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill was passed by the Legislative council. Picture: Zak Simmonds

The sisters have sat through all the proceedings on the Bill, with Natalie leaving hospital early after giving birth to baby Tilly to be at Parliament House for the vote.

Jacqui and Natalie led the campaign backing the latest euthanasia Bill after their mother Diane experienced prolonged suffering in the lead up to her death from stomach cancer.

“Mum desperately wanted voluntary assisted dying in her last stages of her life and we made a promise to her that we would advocate so that others would not have to needlessly suffer the way that she did. I know that without doubt she would be so incredibly proud of us, of Tasmania and of our Legislative Council today,” Jacqui said.

“It’s a really bittersweet moment.”

Jacqui Gray hugs president of dying with dignity Tasmania, Hilde Nilsson after the Legislative council passed the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill . Picture: Zak Simmonds

Ben Smith of anti-euthanasia group Live and Die Well said he hoped the House of Assembly would carefully scrutinise the Bill.

“I think it is disappointing that it has passed the Legislative Council and that there didn’t seem to be any resistance to it,” Mr Smith said.

MLC Michael Gaffney after the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill was passed by the Legislative council. Picture: Zak Simmonds

TIMELINE

2009, 2013 and 2017: Three previous attempts at enacting voluntary assisted dying legislation in Tasmania have been defeated — in 2009, 2013 and 2017 — when they failed to pass the House of Assembly.

June 2020: Independent Mersey MLC Mike Gaffney releases a private members’ Bill, the End-of-Life Choices (Voluntary Assisted Dying) Bill 2020

August 2020: Mr Gaffney tables the Bill in the Legislative Council

November 10: The Bill passes the Legislative Council

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT ...

Debate on the Bill is due to start in the House of Assembly on December 3, with an extra sitting day to be held on December 4 to allow all MPs to make a contribution.

A vote will not take place until next year, with the Bill to be made the first order of business when state parliament resumes in 2021.

The Premier has also asked the University of Tasmania to establish an independent review panel to provide a view on the legislation.

MLC Michael Gaffney during the third reading of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill debate in the Legislative council. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Concluding discussion of the Bill in the Legislative Council, an emotional Mike Gaffney thanked his colleagues in the Legislative Council for progressing the historic changes.

The private members’ Bill from Mr Gaffney has been heavily amended in recent weeks during marathon parliamentary sittings.

MLC Michael Gaffney after Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill was passed by the Legislative council. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“This legislation is simply aimed at helping individuals suffering intolerably to find peace in a manner of their choosing surrounded by their family and friends,” Mr Gaffney said.

Independent Murchison MLC Ruth Forrest, a former nurse, said she continued to have concerns about the role of health petitioners in a voluntary assisted dying setting.

“It’s important that there is a clear message to the community that even if this Bill (passes) the House of Assembly, access to voluntary assisted dying will be some time away … I will not stand in the way of this Bill despite my reservations,” she said.