An independent NSW MP says he will draft fresh legislation on access to voluntary euthanasia in the state, with debate to take place next year.
Sydney MP Alex Greenwich said in a statement on Sunday that voluntary assisted dying should be legalised in NSW, following the lead of Western Australia and Victoria.
New Zealand also recently passed euthanasia laws via a referendum, with laws to come into effect in 2021.
Mr Greenwich encouraged his parliamentary colleagues to begin discussing the matter with their constituents ahead of debates in 2021.
The bill would legalise assisted dying for the terminally ill.
Mr Greenwich said he viewed the WA model positively, with access to assisted dying provided to those who will die within six months, or 12 months for a neurodegenerative condition, and cannot tolerably relieve suffering.
“My constituents have regularly raised with me the need for NSW to join other states in providing the option, with safeguards, for people with a painful and cruel terminal illness to die with dignity,” Mr Greenwich said.
He also acknowledged the issue was “emotive” and pledged to work with MPs from all parties throughout the deliberation process.
An earlier NSW bill which legalised assisted dying was in 2017 defeated.
Euthanasia advocacy group Dying with Dignity NSW on Sunday also launched a campaign to progress voluntary assisted dying in the state.
“Every day that NSW parliament ignores this issue, more terminally ill people will die badly, even with the best palliative care, and more families will be traumatised having to watch their loved ones suffer,” president Penny Hackett said in a statement.
