
More than 100 amendments to the voluntary assisted dying bill were circulated last week, according to a government minister, as the lower house prepares to begin a lengthy debate on the laws from Tuesday.
But Labor is confident it will pass by the end of the week, and amendments could solely come from government members who have been granted a conscience vote.
Lyons Liberal MHAs John Tucker and Guy Barnett were the latest member of the government to raise questions about the bill, joining Attorney-General Elise Archer and Leader of the House Michael Ferguson who also used government press releases to question various aspects.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Liberal Member for Franklin Nic Street was publicly critical of Labor ahead of the debate.
Mr Tucker said his concerns centred on ensuring palliative care did not suffer should VAD become law in Tasmania.
"I believe that palliative care must be guaranteed in the bill as being 'gold standard' and greater funding should be committed to palliative care training and practice," he said.
"If this bill is to pass, how will this be guaranteed? It would be a matter of great regret if voluntary assisted dying was seen as an option in the absence of the best possible palliative care being made available to all."
Mr Barnett said the bill "currently denies adequate protections to organisations with a conscientious objection to VAD", and more than 100 amendments have been circulated.
"This is deeply concerning and must be resisted. No-one should be compelled to act against their conscience," he said.
"Stronger safeguards, based on objective assessments, are needed to ensure that the elderly, the sick and other vulnerable people are protected."
The majority of lower house members expressed support for the bill when second reading speeches were progressed in the final sitting days of 2020 before it was studied as part of a University of Tasmania review.
Labor leader Rebecca White said the UTAS report had shown the laws would provide adequate safeguards, and the lower house should respect the work of the upper house which debate more than 100 amendments.
"What we don't want to see is the internal bickering of the Liberal Party delaying or distracting from the really important that we have, which is to pass very safe, very solid laws to provide compassionate relief for people who are terminally ill," she said.
"It's certainly our expectation that the Parliament will legislate by the end of this week to introduce voluntary assisted dying laws for Tasmania."