A draft bill to legalise assisted dying in NSW has gained support from some of the Riverina's MPs but there are concerns about the level of access to psychologists needed to implement the scheme.
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Sydney independent MP Alex Greenwich has circulating his proposed euthanasia bill in an effort to gain support from the major parties and the crossbench.
Under the bill, only adults diagnosed with a terminal illness that will cause death within six months, or 12 months for neurodegenerative conditions, and who are experiencing suffering that cannot be tolerably relieved will be able to access voluntary assisted dying.
Two experienced doctors would need to independently assess a person seeking assistance and both come to the conclusion that they are acting voluntarily and without any form of pressure or duress.
Mr Greenwich sent a copy of the bill along with supporting testimonies from Wagga constituents to independent Wagga MP Joe McGirr, who has previously said he was opposed to assisted dying.
"It's a very conservative and restrictive approach to voluntary assisted dying," Mr Greenwich said.
"It is obviously quite a detailed and documented process to access it and at any point the person can withdraw from the process."
A spokeswoman for Dr McGirr said he had received a copy of the draft legislation this afternoon and would be reading it over the coming days.
Wagga-based Nationals MLC Wes Fang said he would support the bill at this stage and expected Coalition MPs to be granted a conscience vote on the bill.
"[Mr Greenwich] and those who have been working on the bill have worked hard to ensure they have attempted to address issues that they anticipate that may have created concern," Mr Fang said.
"I think they have done a reasonably good job with balancing the rights of religious groups and those that are advocates for assisted dying."
Mr Fang said he voted in favour of the previous bill that attempted to legalise assisted dying in 2017, which failed to get approval from the upper house by a single vote.
Shooters Fishers and Farmers Murray MP said she intended to vote for the bill but had concerns that it might be difficult for people in rural areas to access the healthcare staff that could assess them for assisted dying.
"I think it provides a sensible and humane way to allow terminally ill patients to end their suffering with dignity and of their own free will, which is what we want.
"The bill is fairly conservative and has got the appropriate safeguards in place.
"Our biggest problem is that our health system has become so degraded in rural areas that often we don't have psychiatrists and psychologists and support people around and that's a real concern to me ... I'm really going to push hard to make sure these resources are available."
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