Patients need 'as much time as possible' to consider assisted death

MLCs vote against reducing life expectancy limit from 12 months to six

An MLC believes people considering an assisted death need as much time as possible to assess their options and speak to their family.

Diane Kelsey's comments came as members debated the Assisted Dying Bill's restrictions on life expectancy.

Yesterday (17 December) the Legislative Council voted against calls to reduce the life expectancy limit from 12 months to six after assessing the clauses of the bill. 

Mrs Kelsey believes the longer period would be beneficial:

The change was proposed by Paul Craine MLC who insists his amendment was not an attack on the House of Keys.

The 12-month limit was agreed following an earlier debate in that place. 

But Mr Craine insists it was right for the upper chamber to scrutinise the issue further: