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The coming conscience vote on historic right-to-die legislation will give MPs the chance to vote on an issue by following their heart, rather than operating as cogs in a party political machine. .
An elderly pilot and three men are charged after allegedly plotting to make a drug run from California to Australia carrying ice worth about $255 million.
The euthanasia vote is giving MPs a rare opportunity to rise above day-to-day political bickering. Photo: Supplied
Although the federal government overturned the Northern Territory parliament's vote for voluntary euthanasia in the 1990s, it understood the same thing could not be happen with Victoria.
Health Minister Jill Hennessy is set to introduce legislation into parliament as soon as possible. Photo: Eddie Jim
Hopefully free of party discipline, MPs will have to think deeply and provide insight into the factors that shape their vote.
There will likely be unusual coalitions that defy party boundaries to usher through or thwart this unprecedented change.
Health Minister Jill Hennessy has flagged plans to introduce legislation into parliament as soon as possible.
But in the interests of giving it the best chance of passing, she has stressed the many safeguards in place to allay the concerns of those MPs yet to make up their minds.
Although Hennessy believes the community supports change, she concedes some MPs will never support the proposed regime.
"What I think counts is that we have a respectful debate and discussion and that has been my experience to date," she said.
But some have already warned the debate will be damaged if legislation is rushed through, without giving all MPs the chance to consider and speak on the proposed laws.
This sensitive debate needs to be conducted with both courtesy for opposing views and courage in personal convictions.
Any political point scoring would just reinforce the suspicion with which many Victorians regard their elected officials.
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