The Greens are calling on Prime Minister Tony Abbott to allow a conscience vote on euthanasia as they press ahead with a bill to sanction assisted suicide.
Greens senator Richard Di Natale has drafted the Medical Services (Dying with Dignity) Bill which would allow adults with a terminal illness to seek medical assistance to end their lives.
As a safeguard it would require those considering euthanasia to consult two doctors and a psychiatrist, while protecting any medical practitioner who provides assistance.
A federal parliamentary committee on Monday recommended politicians get a conscience vote on the bill, in a boost to those seeking to legalise euthanasia.
Senator Di Natale will seek co-sponsors for the legislation, with a plan to introduce the laws into parliament in the first half of next year.
He says parliamentarians from all parties back the bill.
"It's now time for the prime minister to allow a conscience vote on this issue," he told reporters in Melbourne.
"If the prime minister doesn't do that ... and tries to kill this legislation, he will be effectively responsible for denying members of his own party ... the opportunity to express that in parliament."
The Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee recommended technical issues in the bill be addressed, including definition of a terminal illness and clarification of the immunities given to medical practitioners.
But Senator Di Natale is confident of getting the bill through parliament.
"Within the general community there is overwhelming support and it's time now that the law reflected that," he said.
"It's a question of getting the legislation right."
