MEMBER for Western Victoria Simon Ramsay says he’s still undecided on Victoria’s proposed assisted dying legislation despite having seen nothing so far that would lead him to oppose it.
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Mr Ramsay’s vote and that of fellow Upper House MP Bruce Atkinson are expected to be crucial in deciding the fate of the bill.
Speaking after a marathon overnight debate on the bill in the Upper House on Thursday night, Mr Ramsay said he would not declare his position until all the proposed bill amendments, which number about 140, had been discussed.
He also intended to raise with the government some of the concerns about the bill that had been raised with him by ethnic, church and medical and other interest groups.
He was pleased the government had responded to his call for more funding for palliative care with a promise of an extra $62 million over five years that included another $20 million for home palliative care in rural areas.
However if a review of palliative care funding found that more than $20 million was needed in rural areas, he wanted the government to provide extra funds.
Debate on the bill will resume on Tuesday after it was suspended on Friday morning when Labor MP Daniel Mulino became ill and was taken away in an ambulance.
Mr Ramsay said much of the debate this week was by those who opposed the bill and seeking to delay a vote.
Fellow Western Victorian MP James Purcell, a supporter of the bill, said he expected the bill to pass 22-18 in favour but it could take a long time.
He said both Mr Ramsay and Mr Atkinson had so far voted in favour of each of the nine amendments passed so far.