The finalised Bill is expected to be tabled in Parliament later this year

The latest step in the push to introduce voluntary assisted dying in Tasmania has been achieved, with a final consultation Bill on the issue being released.

THE latest step in the push to introduce voluntary assisted dying in Tasmania has been achieved, with a final consultation Bill on the issue being released.

Mersey MLC Mike Gaffney, who is expected to table the finalised Bill in Parliament later this year, has released a 122-page document for further feedback.

Mr Gaffney has been consulting on the draft Bill since January, including running public forums across the state to explain the proposed legislation to communities.

It is the fourth attempt at voluntary assisted dying legislation in Tasmania.

Previous attempts at similar laws in 2009, 2013 and 2016 were foiled after they failed to pass through the House of Assembly.

This time, Mr Gaffney will introduce the legislation to the Legislative Council as a private member’s Bill.

Mr Gaffney said several changes had been made to improve the Bill, including adding the capacity for a person who has six months to live, or 12 months to live (if suffering from motor neurone disease) to privately administer VAD substance without the assistance of a health professional.

He said similar provisions are allowed for in legislation in Victoria and WA, and that there were three other options — to self administer, receive assistance or to have the substance administered by a health practitioner present at the event.

Mr Gaffney said his office had received a significant amount of feedback from people all over Tasmania.

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“This final draft has evolved after extensive deliberations – I really feel that it

reflects the views and needs of Tasmanians,’’ he said.

Mr Gaffney said feedback was encouraged until July 3, and he expected to table the Bill in August.

The Bill has been backed by Dying with Dignity Tasmania, which said it offered people choice on end-of-life decisions, but church leaders said legalising assisted dying would be in contradiction to the value of protecting human life.