Victoria could become first state to legalise euthanasia

Victoria could become the first state to legalise euthanasia.

Seven News understands the state government received an interim report from the Independent Ministerial Advisory Panel chaired by neurosurgeon and former AMA president Brian Owler.

The panel received 176 submissions detailing how far out from an expected death a patient could or should take their own life.

The initial parliament committee report into assisted dying talked about the process to start when a patient was weeks or months from the estimated end of their life.

But the advisory panel wants to extend the timeline and the government is believed to be considering three options: 24 months, 12 months or six months.

If a 12 months timeline was chosen, that would mean doctors would have to confirm the patient is expected to die within that time and that would allow the patient to start the process.

A final report is expected to go to the Health Minister Jill Hennessy by July with parliament having a conscience vote by the end of 2017.