Bega MP Andrew Constance is pleased the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill has passed the NSW lower house, saying it was the "compassionate way forward to deal with those who are suffering terminal illness".
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Mr Constance has tendered his resignation from state government, but chose to stay on to the end of the month to see this particular bill through.
"To have that as my last vote in Parliament is very special to me because I think we have to find a way for people to be able to deal with the challenges of a terminal illness, in a way that can be compassionate and dignified," Mr Constance said.
The Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill was passed by 52 votes to 32 on Friday, November 26.
MPs had casted their votes the day before and the debate carried through to Friday.
Friday, November 26, also marked the final sitting day for NSW parliament for the year, hence the push to making sure they'd send the bill to the upper house by year's end.
"It has got to go past the Upper House next year but I was very pleased to see it pass the Lower House today," Mr Constance said.
Mr Constance said the bill would be addressed in the first parliamentary session next year, when the NSW Upper House will commence its debate on it.
"The House of Review will look at the bill which has been passed by Lower House members and I'm hopeful that the legislation will pass the Upper House and come into effect next year.
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"Given the Lower House passed it pretty much two votes to one, I don't think there'll be too much trouble passing it in the Upper House as well," he said.
Mr Constance said the legislation in question was conservative in nature.
"Out of all the bills that we've seen over the years, this is the most conservative and its passage has been secured," he said.
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