Mr Kelly cited the legal implications for health workers and his “strong professional belief” that palliative care could provide dignified death,and should be the priority,among the reasons for his vote.
Mr Mellish and Mr Power referenced comments from former prime minister Paul Keating,also a member of the party’s right and vocal opponent of voluntary assisted dying whoweighed into the Victorian debate in 2017,about ethical thresholds the laws cross.
While not standing in the way of the legislation,Treasurer Cameron Dick – the Right faction’s most senior member behind Ms Palaszczuk – also cited the former PM in a speech in which he said he would vote in favour with a “troubled conscience”.
Labor frontbencher and Morayfield MP Mark Ryan,from the dominant Left faction,did not speak during debate. Neither did party colleagues Corrine McMillan (Mansfield),Les Walker (Mundingburra) or Jim Madden (Ipswich West). All voted in support of the bill.
Mulgrave Labor MP and Speaker Curtis Pitt,only required to formally give his casting vote if there was an even split among all other members,used his speech during the three days of emotional debate to say he would also support the legislation.
The LNP’s Surfers Paradise MP,John-Paul Langbroek,was absent from the entire sitting week after travelling interstate due to a family death.
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Party leader David Crisafulli was among the opposition MPs who voted against the bill.
However,his colleagues Steven Minnikin (Chatsworth),Tim Nicholls (Clayfield),Brent Mickelberg (Buderim),Michael Crandon (Coomera),Michael Hart (Burleigh),Rob Molhoek (Southport),Ray Stevens (Mermaid Beach),Mark Boothman (Theodore),Dale Last (Burdekin) and Sam O’Connor (Bonney) voted in support of the bill. Some also backed amendments from Mr Janetzki.
Mr Minnikin and Mr Nicholls were among three LNP members who also voted in support of the Palaszczuk government’s abortion laws,which passed50 votes to 41 in 2018 — the last conscience vote in the state.
Only Labor’s former maverick Bundamba MP Jo-Ann Miller voted against the abortion bill. Mr Power abstained.
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