Terminally ill Victorians look set to be given the right to die when they choose, with a growing number of MPs saying they will vote for "voluntary assisted dying" legislation.
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At least 32 MPs from the state's 88-member lower house have told Fairfax Media they are prepared to vote "yes" subject to seeing the legislation, which is due to be unveiled next week.
Only 13 MPs have locked in behind a "no" vote, in the straw poll taken this week.
In the 40-member Upper House, the "yes" camp has at least 17 votes locked in, while the "no" campaign can only be sure of the support of seven members.
Despite the numbers, both the "yes" and "no" campaigns will feel there is everything left to play for, with 42 lower house and 16 upper house MPs either undecided, yet to declare or unable to be contacted this week.
Right-to-Life Australia, campaigning for a "no" vote, remained upbeat on Friday, saying most MPs would not make up their minds on the bill until the day of a vote.
A sustained campaign of "education", aimed at MPs and co-ordinated from the office of Health Minister Jill Hennessy, looks to be bearing fruit, with at least five of the party's previously undecided parliamentarians now locking in behind the right-to-die laws.
Transport Minister Jacinta Allan, high profile Brunswick MP and former minister Jane Garrett, Footscray MP Marsha Thomson, Cranbourne MP Jude Perera and member for Frankston Paul Edbrooke all moved from the undecided camp into the "yes" column when contacted by Fairfax this week.
Ms Garrett, who was brought up in the Baptist Church, said she had once been opposed to the laws but her position had changed after much soul-searching.
"I've been forced to really look inside myself and make a decision," said Ms Garrett, who is in remission after being diagnosed with breast cancer last year.
"I'm voting 'yes'.
"On balance I think it's right to give people a very limited option under strict conditions to have some control and ownership of how they leave."
Ms Garrett said she still believed that everything should be done to help people live "as long and as well as possible" but she now feels "at peace" with her decision.
"In a sense you've got to face the darkness and come up with what you think is the best for people," she said.
Many of the undecided MPs said they could not commit to a position before seeing the bill, while others said they were worried about euthanasia laws changing in the future.
There was considerable scepticism among Coalition MPs that Labor would produce legislation that remained true to recommendations of the final report of the expert Ministerial Advisory Panel.
Fairfax understands the bill will be introduced into Parliament on Wednesday, with MPs then given a three-week break to consider their positions before what looks set to be a highly charged and emotional debate in the October sitting sessions.
Margaret Tighe from Right-to-Life Australia said it was still a little early to be counting numbers.
"Some days we are encouraged, and some days we're not," the veteran campaigner said.
"But it's my belief that a lot of [MPs] won't be making up their minds until the day, they'll be looking around the chamber to see what's what."
Go Gentle Australia, which was cautiously optimistic on Friday, said it would continue to talk to MPs in its efforts to encourage a yes-vote, trying to focus its discussions on the substance of the legislation.
If you are troubled by this report, experiencing a personal crisis or thinking about suicide, you can call Lifeline 131 114 or beyondblue 1300 224 636 or visit lifeline.org.au or beyondblue.org.au
