Member for Baldivis Reece Whitby told State Parliament on Thursday he will vote to pass voluntary assisted dying laws, after making a promise to a local widow.
After extensive public consultation and a draft of the legislation, debate on the matter started in parliament on Wednesday.
The law states a person would need to be terminally ill, a Western Australian resident for at least 12 months and have two medical assessments by two doctors, to be considered.
It also includes 102 safeguards.
Mr Whitby told parliament that many local residents had urged him to support the legislation.
“I have been stopped in Baldivis shopping centres, at local school fairs and even here in the corridors of this Parliament by my constituents who seem to share a sense of urgent pleading,” Mr Whitby said.
“Their shared experience was watching the suffering of partners, parents, brothers, sisters or friends, and feeling utterly helpless and unable to relieve their agony and distress.
“One of those constituents was a woman from Baldivis on a tour of the Parliament who had watched her husband suffer. She grabbed me firmly by the arm and with tears welling in her eyes, she made me promise to vote for this bill.
“For her, I’m sure it’s about love. Life-affirming love. Love enough to say goodbye.”
Mr Whitby said the introduction of voluntary assisted dying in WA was "the most important decision any of us will ever make on legislation before this House.”
“For me, this is not a political issue, this is not a philosophical issue, this is not even an issue of Faith," he told parliament.
"When you cut through all the debate, this is a simple issue of humanity, compassion and love. It is ultimately about each of us having our own right to choose.
“Opponents of this bill have claimed that it represents a de-valuing of human life. Nothing could be further from the truth. This is about valuing what really encapsulates life and its inherent values - the joy of life and dignity.
“No-one of sound and healthy mind wants their life to end. The Western Australians who may choose to use this legislation will be those who are dying and close to death.
“When so many options are no longer available, this is an option some may want to embrace.”
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