New Tasmanian MPs May Swing Right-To-Die Vote

Coast MPs may swing right-to-die vote, July 6, 2010.

BRADDON'S two new MHAs could help swing the voluntary euthanasia vote at the political level, supporting it in principle.

Deputy Premier Lara Giddings recently announced she would revisit voluntary euthanasia laws, introducing a private member's bill probably late next year, following Greens leader Nick McKim's failed Dying with Dignity bid last year.

Ms Giddings is hoping some of the 11 new House of Assembly MPs will support her push, with Braddon's Adam Brooks (Liberal) and Paul O'Halloran (Greens) supporting in-principle voluntary euthanasia.

However, new Bass Liberal MP Michael Ferguson has already indicated his opposition.

And new Liberal MP Matthew Groom said last week the issue was still too painful to be debated so soon again.

Mr Brooks said his final vote would very much depend on the detail of the bill, adding he did not support the model put forward by Mr McKim.

"Fundamentally I support freedom of choice," Mr Brooks said.

"The problem I have with this is we need to make sure this legislation is right.

"We need to make sure giving people that freedom does not impact on people.

"I had some grave concerns over Mr McKim's model and if I was there (in parliament at the time) I probably wouldn't have supported that model."

The bill would need to pass through both houses of parliament to become law.

By Chris Pippos, The Advocate