In the strongest sign yet that Tasmania's voluntary assisted dying bill will pass the lower house, Health Minister Sarah Courtney has revealed she will support the legislation.
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Ms Courtney will take the bill through the lower house - but as a Bass Liberal MHA not as minister.
It puts her at odds with Bass colleague Michael Ferguson who opposes the private member's bill which has been backed by the Legislative Council.
Debate will begin on the bill tomorrow and a special sitting has been scheduled for Friday.
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"I am confident that the VAD Bill is sound legislation; has been thoroughly consulted with all Tasmanians, all of whom have had an opportunity to be involved and was thoroughly scrutinised and further strengthened in the Upper House," Mr Gaffney said.
"This legislation will be exceptionally important for those Tasmanians who satisfy the criteria and who decide to end their intolerable suffering surrounded by family and friends at a place and time of their choosing.
"I thank Minister Courtney for her compassion and involvement with the passage of this bill."
Ms Courtney acknowledged that many Tasmanians, including MPs had "deep convictions and strongly held views on this matter".
"It is my intention to debate this proposed bill with sensitivity and to help ensure, should the bill pass, that Tasmania has the most robust law and appropriate system possible," she said.
"It's important that these issues are debated robustly and it's important that all issues are able to be raised during a debate such as this.
"I've confidence that our parliament will be able to do this appropriately and respectfully and I know that every parliamentarian, should this legislation pass, and I'm not going to preempt that, would want it to be the best version of it possible."
Ms Courtney said it was her view that individuals should have the right to be able to determine what happens to them.
"I think it's the government and the parliaments' role to ensure that there are appropriate safeguards in there to protect those that are most vulnerable in the community.
The debate will be adjourned on Friday after the second reading and it will be the first order of business when Parliament resumes next year.
Premier Peter Gutwein said the bill needed to be "handled with the utmost care and compassion".
"The responsibility of whether this legislation passes into law will rest with this house and as I have previously said, that is a responsibility which bears considerable weight on all members.
A review by UTAS academics will be available in February next year but will not delay implementation if the bill is passed.