Victoria's high-quality palliative care system can't ease the pain and suffering of all people, so it is time to legalise assisted dying, Health Minister Jill Hennessy has told parliament.
"Far too many Victorians have suffered too much and for too long at the end of their lives," the minister said during her speech on Thursday in support of proposed laws to allow euthanasia.
"Improving policy and community awareness about the end of life, and death, are essential if we are to improve Victorians' choices about how and where they experience both."
The proposed scheme would not replace palliative care and should not be seen as an "inevitable extension" of such, she said.
Health practitioners must not initiate discussion about euthanasia, they can conscientiously object, and must discuss palliative care options with patients who broach the subject.
An approved medical practitioner must first conduct an assessment to determine patient eligibility and if suitable, another doctor will do a second assessment.
Both must be fellows of a specialist medical college to ensure training and experience, Ms Hennessy said.
"This bill establishes a safe and compassionate framework to give Victorians who are suffering the ability to choose the timing and manner of their death," she said.
Premier Daniel Andrews was among abut 20 government MPs in the chamber for the second reading of the bill, along with the Greens, independent Don Nardella and a handful of coalition MPs.
Debate is due to start on the bill on October 17.
Share
