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Jacinda Ardern voices support for ACT leader's End of Life Bill - 'this is a deeply personal issue'

April 9, 2019

The PM says the vote is a “deeply personal” one and she doesn’t know which way the final decision will go.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern supports ACT leader David Seymour's End of Life Choice Bill, which would give terminally ill people the right to choose when they die.

Parliament's Justice Committee is due to report back to the house this afternoon.

Read more:  ‘Your Bill seeks to kill people’ – Maggie Barry slams David Seymour’s euthanasia proposal during debate

Ms Ardern told media this morning she voted in favour of the Bill at a confidence vote, but it would be up to each individual MP on which way they voted.

Act Leader David Seymour, who is the MP behind the End of Life Choice Bill, and National MP Maggie Barry, who is a strong opponent, go head-to-head on Q+A.

"Certainly, I see my view as a personal one and will leave the Labour caucus to make their own decisions," she said.

"This is a deeply personal issue. Some will have strongly held beliefs that will determine their view. My view has always been one that it's not for me to determine the decisions of others.

"I would like others to have their own choice and that means voting in favour of the Bill," Ms Ardern said.

Read more:  Widower of euthanasia campaigner Lecretia Seales gives 'best gift' on what would have been her birthday

She told media she understood some people are strongly opposed to the Bill, but said "my view is the best way that I can allow people to make their own decisions is actually giving them access to that choice. At the moment there is no access that that choice because of the law.

"I want it to be a personal matter for individuals and their families."

Matt Vickers told TVNZ1's Breakfast he would continue to fight for terminally ill people's right to choose when they die.

When asked if she thought the Bill would get the backing for it to pass, she said she simply did not know. She said she didn't even know how the rest of her caucus members were voting.

Also speaking with media this morning, Justice Minister Andrew Little said he too supported the Bill and said the report was "one of the best commentaries of a piece of legislation that's come back to the house" that he had seen.

The committee couldn't agree on any substantive changes so it was up to Mr Seymour to persuade enough MPs to back the law change, Mr Little said.

The cut off date for the Bill to make it to a referendum is March next year.

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