Vic Lib MP won't back unchanged death bill

An upper house MP who could hold a crucial vote in Victoria's assisted dying laws says he cannot support the legislation in its current form.

A Liberal MP with a vital vote in Victorian parliament's approval of assisted dying says he won't support the legislation in its current form.

Debate on the laws is scheduled for the upper house on Thursday and needs 21 votes to pass. It's so far attracted about 20.

Liberal MP Simon Ramsay said he supports people having a choice in assisted death "under very special circumstances" but does not back the bill as it currently stands.

"I was very disappointed the government didn't see fit to allow any amendments to the bill," Mr Ramsay told ABC Radio on Wednesday, citing the legislation's passage through the lower house.

"I don't support the bill in its current form."

The government wants to allow assisted dying for adults with a terminal illness and a 12-month life expectancy.

They would have to be assessed by two senior doctors and self-administer the lethal drug, except under special circumstances.

Mr Ramsay was meeting with ministerial advisory board chairman Brian Owler on Wednesday to discuss "areas of concern" and amendments he's interested in pursuing.

"I prefer a much shorter time frame, probably a three-month time frame," he said, in reference to life expectancy.

Although a conscience vote, Premier Daniel Andrews said he would not stand for amendments ahead of the bill's debate in the lower house two weeks ago, where it passed unchanged after a marathon sitting.

Mr Andrews still believes the bill does not need amendments.

"For those with motor neuron disease, having an opportunity to take that 12 months and not potentially hasten any decision that they might make, that's very important," the premier told reporters.

"However, we are prepared to enter into that debate and discussion in good faith."


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Source: AAP



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