Labor and the LNP have committed to giving their MPs a conscience vote.
Ms Palaszczuk said voluntary euthanasia was not a substitute for palliative care but it was about offering an additional end-of-life option,noting her government had committed an extra $171 million for palliative care.
“For some Queenslanders suffering from a life-limiting condition,palliative care is unable to effectively manage their pain,symptoms or suffering,” she said.
“For people whose suffering is intolerable and they wish to hasten their death,the only options currently available are to refuse medical treatment,refuse food or hydration,palliative sedation or suicide.”
During the protest outside,MP Robbie Katter said he wanted people to understand the seriousness of passing voluntary assisted dying laws.
“Most major breaches of cultural norms that we’ve become accustomed to,like taking someone’s life,and giving assisted suicide,the whole trick is to make it sound like it’s not too much,” he said.
“It’s just a slow,incremental step into another direction.”
Mr Katter said he believed the laws would pass.
“I’ll do everything to stop that from happening but the governmentdoesn’t put things in to just get embarrassed in the end,” he said.
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To be eligible,an adult must have been diagnosed with a disease,illness or medical condition that is advanced,progressive,will cause death within 12 months,and be causing intolerable suffering.
The person must be assessed by two doctors,make three separate requests,and they can change their mind at any time.
Health workers will be allowed to conscientiously object but they must provide the person with information to help them access the scheme.
Entities,including private hospitals and residential aged care facilities run by religious organisations,will have the right to choose not to provide voluntary assisted dying but they must also not hinder a person’s access to the scheme.
The bill will be debated in September,and if passed would come into effect on January 1,2023.
Euthanasia laws have already passed inVictoria,Tasmania andWestern Australia.