Tasmania's Liberal Premier Peter Gutwein is backing voluntary assisted dying laws in the strongest indication yet they'll pass state parliament.
The state's lower house is this week debating the reform but a final vote won't take place until next year.
If successful, Tasmania will become the third state in Australia to legalise euthanasia after Western Australia and Victoria.
Mr Gutwein, who has voted against similar bills previously over concerns vulnerable people wouldn't be given sufficient protections, on Thursday indicated his support.
"I believe very firmly individuals should take personal responsibility for their actions during their life," he told parliament.
"I believe in freedom of choice and that's why I support the principle of this bill and will vote for it on the second reading."
Mr Gutwein spoke of losing his father and sister to cancer and the wonderful support provided by palliative care nurses.
"This will be a very personal debate, it should be," he said.
"It is incumbent on all of us to ensure that if this bill passes, Tasmania has the most robust laws possible and that those who are most vulnerable have the safeguards in place."
Labor and the Greens, which make up 11 members of the 25-seat lower house, have indicated their support.
It means just two of 13 Liberal members and independent Madeleine Ogilvie need to back the bill for it to pass.
Mr Gutwein and his party colleagues will exercise a conscience vote.
It is the island state's fourth attempt to introduce such laws after previous attempts fell short in 2009, 2013 and 2017.
"It is my belief in the coming months we will achieve VAD laws for Tasmania," Labor Leader Rebecca White said.
"People are suffering cruel deaths, sometimes lonely deaths. As a society ... we must do better to alleviate the suffering and provide dignity and peace to people in the final stages of life."
The legislation, which last month passed the upper house where it was introduced, has been backed by the biggest public petition in Tasmania's history containing more than 13,000 votes.
People over 18 with an advanced, incurable, irreversible disease, illness, or injury expected to cause death would be eligible to access voluntary assisted dying.
They must have decision-making capacity and be acting voluntarily and can opt out of the procedure at any time.
Between now and next year's vote, MPs will receive a University of Tasmania review comparing the bill to laws in Victoria and WA, as well as other countries.
