sydney australia second-largest state wednesday take another step towards adopt law allow voluntary assist die terminally ill patients resident victoria state 18 terminal illness less six months live request lethal dose medication new legislation assist die remain illegal australia five state vote victoria upper house 22 40 senators support legislation legislation require amendments pass upper house include halve time frame eligible patients access scheme reduce 12 months live six months live amendments must approve low house become law legislation expect oppose exemptions sufferers condition motor neurone disease multiple sclerosis request lethal dose medication even give year live many countries legalize euthanasia include canada netherlands switzerland state unite state australia federal government oppose legalize euthanasia even though remote northern territory hold australian statehood become first jurisdiction world 1995. federal government enact legislation override northern territory law 1997 rule allow constitution state law however override australia 's victoria state close legalize assist death