Ben Fordham has hit out at the NSW Premier over delaying a vote on voluntary assisted dying.

The bill tendered by Independent Alex Greenwich, containing a petition of 100,000 signatures, has been referred to the upper house and a conscience vote won’t take place until next year.

The laws would be made available only to people with terminal illnesses, who have less than 12 months to live.

The patient must be over the age of 18 and must make the decision after consultation from two independent doctors.

There would be protections for people with Alzheimer’s who may be incapable of making their own decision, with jail sentences in place for misuse.

One in five suicides over the age of 40 are people with a terminal illness.

“There are families and individuals crying out for this right now and yet the government just kicks the can down the road,” Ben said.

“Dominic Perrottet opposes the laws on religious grounds.

“But he told us on his first full day as Premier he wouldn’t let his own religious beliefs get in the way of everyone else.

“NSW has led the recovery out of COVID-19 but we are wooden spooners on assisted dying and that’s something we should be ashamed of.”

Press PLAY below to hear Ben’s comments in full