Voluntary assisted dying laws that passed the Victorian Parliament on Wednesday morning are “safe and compassionate” according to South West Coast MP Roma Britnell.
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Mrs Britnell, who was a vocal supporter of the historic laws, said backing the laws was the right thing to do.
“I understand that not everyone supports these laws and I thank everyone who shared their views with me, both for and against,” she said.
“I think we will look back and wonder why it took us this long – these laws are safe and compassionate and will provide comfort and peace of mind for people as they face the end of their life.
“They also deliver people, who are dying the fundamental right of self-determination, the opportunity to choose what they feel is right for them – this is all about choice, providing pathways for people to make their own decisions about their end of life care.”
The bill will give terminally-ill Victorians in intolerable pain and with less than six months to live the right to ask to end their lives. That timeframe will be extended to 12 months for people with neurodegenerative diseases such as Motor Neurone Disease.
It will take 18 months for voluntary euthanasia to be introduced in Victoria.
