Back in 2017, following a tough and taxing debate, Victoria became the first Australian state to legalise what proponents call voluntary assisted dying (VAD), and what I and many colleagues call assisted suicide.

In my decades of medical practice and medico-political leadership roles, it was the most emotive and ruthless campaign I have ever seen.

Proponents who had advocated for legalisation for decades saw their chance and seized upon it, and nothing was out of bounds.

Stories of bad deaths were highlighted, with no consideration as to whether they would be eligible under the proposed laws.