Member for South West Coast Roma Britnell has welcomed the news the state government is planning to legalise voluntary euthanasia.
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Media reports have said the government is considering holding a conscience vote by MPs on the issue next year.
“I support such legislation in principle and believe we need laws to ensure our doctors and nurses are protected so they are able to do their jobs and use their professional judgement so patient care remains the priority,” Mrs Britnell said.
“As a nurse with more than 30 years of experience, I have cared for many people who are approaching the end of their life.”
She said there were “ambiguities” surrounding end-of-life care that needed to be cleared up “so our protectors are protected when they do the right thing for their patient”.
“While I support the laws in principle, the legislation has not come before the parliament,” Mrs Britnell said.
“I’ll need to see its contents to ensure there are no unintended consequences before I make a decision whether or not I support the specific piece of legislation.
“I don’t believe legislation around this issue would be altering the journey of life. It is about helping people who are approaching the end of their life through illness get to the end and to die with dignity.
“This is a sensitive issue and some people may find it confronting - but it’s an area I have knowledge and experience in.”
Warrnambool palliative care expert Dr Eric Fairbank said it was important to understand that even in countries where voluntary euthanasia was legal, only a very small number of people took that option.
Dr Fairbank said most people who were terminally ill wanted to live as long as possible provided they did not have to go through terrible suffering.
Most of the terminally ill were able to die comfortably, he said.
He hoped the debate over voluntary euthanasia would lead to better palliative care.
The state government has until the end of this week to respond to the recommendations of the Legislative Council Committee's Inquiry into End of Life Choices.
The committee proposed that adults with decision-making capacity, suffering from a serious and terminal condition, with months or weeks left to live, be given the choice to die.
