The state government has yet to reveal any legislation specifically around assisted dying, but speculation has mounted after parliament moved to legally enforce end-of-life care instructions.

A crossbench parliamentary committee recommended in June this year that Victoria legalise assisted dying for people suffering from serious and incurable conditions.

Those who assist a suicide in Victoria can face criminal charges and, if they are a health professional, can lose their right to practice. 

Western Victoria Region’s two Labor members of parliament are either in favour of changing the law or open to change.

Liberal Party upper house members for Western Victoria, Simon Ramsay and Joshua Morris, have reserved their answer or not responded to a request for comment.

A crossbench Western Victoria member would likely support a euthanasia bill.

National Party lower house Member for Lowan Emma Kealy has reserved her answer pending talks with constituents.

Liberal lower house Member for Ripon Louise Staley, who has previously argued in favour of voluntary euthanasia, said parliament should look at the issue.

Western Victoria member Jaala Pulford, also is also a senior government minister, told Fairfax Media earlier this month that she was in favour of change.

Ms Pulford lost her 13-year-old daughter Sinead to cancer almost two years ago, following a 12-week illness.

When Parliament voted on physician-assisted dying in 2008, Ms Pulford voted against it, but now she is a supporter.

"Since then, I've learnt more about death and dying than I ever cared to," she said.

"I think our laws need to change to reflect the needs of people experiencing profound suffering."

Fellow Labor Western Victoria member Gayle Tierney told the Mail-Times the current laws around end-of-life care were too complex and no one should be made to suffer.

“No one should suffer excruciating pain.  No one should see their loved one suffer in excruciating pain,” she said.

“Victorians deserve the best possible end of life care – care that relieves pain and suffering for the terminally ill, and provides empowering support to family, friends and carers.

“Existing laws are exceedingly complex and do not provide certainty about how people would like to be supported at the end of their lives. 

“There needs to be a way forward that is safe and has the necessary safeguards for people to make informed decisions and have the last part of their life treated with care and dignity.”

Western Victoria member James Purcell, of the Vote 1 Local Jobs Party, said he was prepared to support legislation of euthanasia if it was for limited circumstances and safeguards were implemented.

“I’ve seen too many instances where people have needed the right to be able to make that decision,” he said.

“Among my constituency, I have rarely found anyone who opposed it.

“With incurable diseases, with the right restrictions, to me it’s a no-brainer.”

Mr Purcell said cases where a person’s mental capacity had been diminished would be tricky for any new law to handle.

On the Coalition side, signs of either support or opposition to changing the law were less forthcoming.

Ms Kealy said she would consult with constituents.

“We are yet to see this bill introduced to parliament,” she said.

“There are many aspects to consider in legislating access to euthanasia services and I will consult with my local stakeholders and the Lowan community before I come to a final decision.”

Mr Ramsay also reserved his decision.

“I have yet to see the detail of the legislation and will reserve the right of my position until I do,” he said.

Ms Staley said she supported the recommendation handed down by a parliamentary committee that euthanasia be legalised in certain circumstances.

“I believe parliament should look at this issue,” she said.

“I support the model put forward by the committee because it would restrict access to euthanasia to certain circumstances such as cases of terminal illness,” she said.

Ms Staley has  previously written in favour of voluntary euthanasia.

In an opinion piece for The Age in 2004 on the position of women in the Liberal Party, Ms Staley outlined her beliefs on a range of contentious social issues.

“I am a Christian, a long-time member of the Liberal Party and I'm pro-choice, pro-stem cell research and I support the legalisation of voluntary euthanasia. I'm also not alone,” Ms Staley wrote in the piece.

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