Bill English has offered a scathing assessment of the euthanasia bill that could have its first reading before Parliament today, saying it lacks critical safe-guards for New Zealand's most vulnerable people.
Speaking in the halls of Parliament yesterday, the National leader said while he was against all forms of assisted dying, the bill presented by ACT's David Seymour was particularly dangerous, implying it indiscriminately enabled suicide.
A deal between ACT and NZ First means the public could have their say on the controversial issue.
"I oppose his bill, it's a very bad piece of legislation, it will make vulnerable people like the elderly, people suffering from mental illness, people with disabilities more vulnerable, so I intend to oppose it strongly," Mr English said.
"I oppose all forms of it (assisted dying) but this is a particularly bad form of it, it doesn't have the protections that some other versions have.
"But I'm opposed to it in any case. We've just been through a big discussion about suicide in New Zealand.
"It's going to be a bit tricky for Mr Seymour to answer the question as to why some suicides are good and some are bad."
It will be a conscience vote for both National and Labour MPs.
Despite his passionate opposition to the bill, Mr English said National Party MPs would be allowed a conscience vote on the euthanasia bill in Parliament today.
In contrast, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she was in favour of people having their own individual freedom in terminal health situations.
"I've had a position since I've been a member of Parliament, this is an issue of conscience, and an issue of individual members of Parliament,"
"My position has always been, that yes, while I want important safe-guards in place, I also want people to have their own choices in that position, so I will support the bill.
"I will always look for safe-guards in place to make sure no one is ever manipulated, left vulnerable but I also support people having their own choice in those circumstances."
Ms Ardern said Labour MPs also had a conscious vote on the bill, adding "my decision should have no bearing on their individual decision, it is for them".
David Seymour's euthanasia bill will either have its first reading in Parliament tonight or early next year.
Support for the bill as it was launched by Mr Seymour yesterday on the steps of Parliament crossed party lines, with National MPs Nikki Kaye and Chris Bishop, standing alongside Green Party leader James Shaw, and Labour's Iain Lees-Galloway, endorsing the bill.
In contrast, alongside Mr English's vehement opposition to the bill, National MP Maggie Barry also weighed in to describe it as a "licence to kill".
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