Death help Bill delay

A DECISION on the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill has been delayed until November 10.

After a marathon week of debate, the Legislative Council on Friday postponed a final vote on whether to approve laws that would give terminally ill people in intolerable suffering the legal right to end their life. If passed, the Bill would then be considered by the House of Assembly.

THE Legislative Council has delayed a final vote on whether to approve laws that would give terminally ill people experiencing intolerable suffering the legal right to end their life.

Members of the upper house met from 9am on Friday to debate amendments to the final clauses in the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill.

But a final vote on the Bill is now not expected until after the house resumes on November 10. If passed, it would then be considered by the House of Assembly.

Hilde Nilsson, from Dying with Dignity Tasmania, has called on Premier Peter Gutwein to ensure the Bill is brought on for debate in the lower house without delay if it passes the Legislative Council.

“There’s enough time to get it debated and hopefully passed before the end of the year if the government makes that commitment to dying Tasmanians. They are the priority now,” she said.

“Tasmanians want voluntary assisted dying choice.

“Tasmanians dying with intolerable suffering need this choice and many more Tasmanians will get great comfort knowing we could have this choice if things get too bad at the end of our lives,” Ms Nilsson said.

Mr Gutwein said he would ensure the Bill came on for debate.

“Absolutely. In fact, one of the things I’ve made perfectly clear is not only will there be a vote in the lower house, but our members will have a conscience vote.”

Ben Smith, from anti-assisted dying group Live and Die Well, welcomed the pause.

“We have said all along that this complex Bill should not be rushed through the parliament, and to that extent the decision by the Legislative Council today not to abandon their standing orders and rush a final vote is sensible,” he said.

“In the likely event that the Bill passes the council, we urge the House of Assembly to similarly take a rigorous and considered approach.

“We call upon members of the House of Assembly not to rush the Bill into law during the budget session as this would be an imprudent act that could put the lives of vulnerable Tasmanians at risk,” Mr Smith said. david.killick@news.com.au