The Victorian government will rely on a diverse group of MPs, including One Nation and the Liberals, to pass its voluntary assisted dying (VAD) laws after a factional split within Labor. The reforms, which would allow doctors to initiate discussions about VAD and extend the eligibility timeframe to 12 months for terminal illnesses, are expected to pass the lower house with support from Labor, the Greens, several Liberals, and all Nationals except Peter Walsh.
Labor MPs from the Catholic-influenced SDA union sub-faction attempted to curtail the bill's scope. An earlier bid to prevent the bill from being read a second time failed 66-17, with Labor MPs Iwan Walters, Anthony Carbines, Natalie Suleyman, Anthony Cianflone, Kathleen Matthews-Ward, Nathan Lambert, and Daniela De Martino supporting the delay. Walters repeatedly referred to VAD as 'assisted suicide,' drawing a rebuke from colleague Emma Vulin, who lives with motor neurone disease and spoke via text-to-speech technology about the peace VAD provides.
Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas urged Walters to reflect on the hurt his words caused. Despite internal opposition, the bill is expected to pass the lower house. However, Labor sources expressed concern about the upper house, where 21 votes are needed. The SDA-aligned upper house MPs, including minister Lizzie Blandthorn, are expected to vote against the bill.
To secure passage, the government would rely on votes from other parties. Libertarian David Limbrick supports VAD on bodily autonomy grounds, while One Nation's Rikkie-Lee Tyrrell backs the bill but seeks amendments to improve regional access. Liberal MP Georgie Crozier also supports the bill. These four votes, combined with progressive crossbench MPs (Animal Justice, Legalise Cannabis, and Greens), would ensure the bill's passage.
