All Night on Euthanasia Bill

The Victorian State Parliament has been sitting for over 24 hours debating their Euthanasia Bill

The bill finally passed the lower house after 26 hours of debate.

The majority of Labor MPs backed the bill, along with two Greens, two independents and a handful of Coalition MPs. (The Deputy Premier was opposed to the bill and voted against it)

It will now go to the 40-member Upper House, where the numbers are also tight, for debate in a fortnight.

If it gets through the Upper House, terminally ill people over the age of 18, in severe pain and with only a year to live will be able to access lethal drugs.

If the bill passes the upper house Victoria will be the first state to introduce such legislation. The Northern Territory passed a similar bill some years ago (remember the film Last Cab to Darwin?)but John Howard's Commonwealth Government over rode the legislation. The Federal Government cannot over ride such a state law - death is a state responsibility.

Re: All Night on Euthanasia Bill

Well done the Victoria State Parliament

Re: All Night on Euthanasia Bill

Much more enlightened approach than uk. Well done.

Re: All Night on Euthanasia Bill

I very much look forward to the result Bruce..A big to the Victoria State Parliament.

Re: All Night on Euthanasia Bill

Good for them ... you're way ahead of us over here.

Dignity in death should be everyone's birthright.

Re: All Night on Euthanasia Bill

I hope it does get through the Upper House Bruce.

I do wish they'd allow it here. It's so cruel to deny ending a life when the person is suffering intolerably and wishes to die.