Supporters of NSW's new euthanasia bill expect the legislation to pass both houses of Parliament after it is tabled in August, though it could be a tight-run thing in the upper house.
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Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Labor leader Chris Minns do not support the move to legalise assisted dying in NSW, but their party colleagues will be allowed a conscience vote on the issue.
Ms Berejiklian promised Liberal MPs in 2019 that there would be "no more conscience votes in this term of government" after the Abortion Law Reform Act ballot caused friction in caucus, but sources said the Premier would allow a free vote on euthanasia.
NSW Nationals upper house MP Trevor Khan introduced a voluntary assisted dying bill in 2017, but it was voted down 20 to 19 in the Legislative Council.
Independent Alex Greenwich will table the new bill on August 12 before parliamentary debate in September.
Most lower house Nationals MPs are expected to back the legislation, as are the three independents, three Shooters MPs and three Greens.
Michael Parris
Michael Parris reports on politics for the Newcastle Herald. He started at the Herald in 1994 after working in the ABC Newcastle newsroom. Michael spent much of his career as a sub-editor before moving into political reporting in 2017. He was a finalist in the Sports Australia national media awards for his stories about a male-only tennis club in Newcastle. He has covered NSW and federal elections, state and federal budgets and local politics. He has also written extensively about the COVID-19 pandemic with a special focus on data analysis and the effects of lockdowns on the Hunter community.
Michael Parris reports on politics for the Newcastle Herald. He started at the Herald in 1994 after working in the ABC Newcastle newsroom. Michael spent much of his career as a sub-editor before moving into political reporting in 2017. He was a finalist in the Sports Australia national media awards for his stories about a male-only tennis club in Newcastle. He has covered NSW and federal elections, state and federal budgets and local politics. He has also written extensively about the COVID-19 pandemic with a special focus on data analysis and the effects of lockdowns on the Hunter community.
