The NSW MP who introduced voluntary assisted dying legislation has called on the government not to "prolong people's suffering" and set a clear time frame for the bill to be debated.
Independent Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich last week introduced the long-awaited bill that would legalise voluntary assisted dying for people with terminal illness.
The debate is ready to begin in the Legislative Assembly, but the Legislative Council on Tuesday established an inquiry into the bill, should the bill pass the lower house.
Mr Greenwich said he welcomed any opportunity to advocate for the bill and for his parliamentary colleagues to hear from experts and the community, but the government needed "urgently" to set a time frame for debate so the process could continue.
"Consecutive Labor and coalition governments have always set timetables for matters of conscience that ensure every member of the parliament can contribute to debate and this parliament deserves the same respect," he said on Tuesday.
"Dragging debate on will only prolong people's suffering.
"The community has had this debate, supports the reform, and wants its elected representatives to get on with it."
The bill has 28 co-sponsors from across the political spectrum - including government MPs.
Both Labor and the coalition have indicated they will allow a conscience vote on the issue, but Premier Dominic Perrottet and Opposition Leader Chris Minns have made it clear they won't support the bill.
The reform would make NSW the last state in Australia to embrace voluntary assisted dying.
