More than two decades in law enforcement has helped shaped opposition police spokesman Dale Last's support for voluntary-assisted dying in Queensland.
Debate on the proposed laws continued in the state's parliament for a second day as more MPs declared their hand on a bill for which the major parties have granted a conscience vote.
The bill states people seeking access to the scheme must have a disease, illness or medical condition that is advanced, progressive and terminal.
Their condition must be expected to cause death within a year, they must have decision-making capacity, and proceed without coercion.
"One of the primary reasons I'm supporting this legislation today is because of the number of deaths I have attended where Queenslanders have taken their own life," Mr Last told state parliament on Wednesday.
"In many of these cases the victims took their own life because they ran out of options, there was no support, counselling services or medical treatment available."
While he noted not all were suffering a terminal illness, Mr Last said voluntary-assisted dying could have made a difference in some cases.
"Think about the impact on loved ones, on emergency service personnel, and those people who may have witnessed the event. You can appreciate the difference having that choice of voluntary-assisted dying could have made," he said.
The opposition has proposed 54 amendments to the bill, which it says will improve safeguards and reporting processes.
The emotional debate is expected to take up much of the parliamentary sitting week as MPs detail the reasons behind their decision.
Earlier, minister for employment Di Farmer - supporting the bill - recounted her experience caring for her mother after a bowel cancer diagnosis.
"We laughed, we cried, we made what would be our last memories together," she said.
"At the time we knew that Mum would not recover, she had already made it clear she wanted to die at home."
This was her first experience of the role of palliative-care workers, Ms Farmer said.
A well-financed palliative care system has been a point of friction throughout the debate, with several MPs arguing for a significant boost to funding.
"They are saints, and we could not do without them," Ms Farmer said of the workers.
Labor member for Greenslopes, and nurse, Joe Kelly detailed his history in the health system while confirming he would not support the scheme's introduction.
"It is my real professional view that we can provide dignified death when we provide good palliative care," he said, acknowledging there were complex reasons as to why it was currently lacking.
Mr Kelly mentioned a number of experiences with patients, including holding the hand of a teenager with leukemia at 2am.
"I've probably shared more than I want to. I desperately care about people, and that's why I'm a strong advocate for palliative care," he said.
A vote is expected on Thursday.
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Australian Associated Press
