Death Bill opponents won’t give up battle

POLITICIANS opposed to Victoria’s assisted-dying laws are digging in their heels as debate continues on the Government’s controversial scheme.

The back-and-forth was expected to go late into last night, with MPs up to only the 10th of 141 clauses needing consideration.

Concerns include access to the scheme by patients with mental health issues, misdiag- nosis, and the potential coercion of terminally ill patients.

Liberal MP Inga Peulich told Parliament she wanted to see the “ridiculous, sinister bill” defeated.

Fellow Liberal opponent Georgie Crozier asked if an insulin-dependent diabetic would qualify for the scheme if they stopped their treatment. “How does that fit in, knowing that the medicine is prolonging their life?” she asked.

The arguments follow Special Minister of State Gavin Jennings’ repeated criticisms of assisted dying opponents who stalled progress. “If people were actually wanting to amend this legislation to improve it, good on them,” he said earlier.

“It’s when they keep going over the same ground again and again.”

If this kept happening, Mr Jennings said the Government was prepared to guillotine debate to force the issue.

The Government previously agreed to safeguard modifications to the assisteddying bill to get the 21 votes needed to push it through.

So far, 20 MPs have said they’ll vote yes.

The amendments include a “six months to live” diagnosis, down from 12 months, and assisted dying being listed on a death certificate.

Debate continued yesterday after heated scenes last week that included cries of “Nazi” being yelled across the Upper House chamber and the collapse and hospitalisation of Labor MP Daniel Mulino following a marathon 24-hour sitting.