The Benambra MLA joined fellow North East MPs Tim McCurdy and Steph Ryan in opposing the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill.

“The cold reality is that wherever there is a financial gain to be made, people will be tempted to exploit the system,” Mr Tilley told parliament on Wednesday night.

“If this legislation can be used to cloak a murder as a merciful end to suffering just once, then it is one time too many.

“Make no mistake; if this legislation enables the unlawful killing of one person then this house will have blood on its hands.”

The Liberal MP cited Melbourne’s so-called society murders where Margaret Wales-King and her husband Paul were killed by her son Mathew Wales who wanted an early inheritance.

Mr Tilley also spoke of his trauma in dealing with death as a policeman and said 68 safeguards were not enough.

Mr McCurdy told parliament he opposed the bill because he did not want Victoria to be known as the place to die.

“Our communities are divided by the Murray River and still fundamentally they operate as one community - they share facilities like schools and hospitals, and that certainly raises questions around NSW residents being treated in Victorian hospitals,” he said.

“We do not want to become the state where people relocate to die.”

Mr McCurdy said he realised a “yes” vote would help a dying parent needing the pain to end, or a grandparent suffering a terminal illness.

“Life is still the most treasured gift that we have,” he said.

“I have concerns about the administration of a drug when we do not even know what it will be just yet.

“I worry about the risk of coercion and elder abuse, because the powers of persuasion can be very strong, particularly in family dynamics. I worry about the level of mental health in communities - some may make either the wrong decision for themselves or the wrong decision when they are supporting a loved one.”

Euroa MP Steph Ryan said this was the hardest decision she’s had to make as an MP.

“Twelve months ago, I was in favour of voluntary assisted dying, I believed the report handed down by the legal and social issues committee into end of life choices presented compelling evidence that end of life care in Victoria requires change,” she said.

“I also have reservations about this legislation and unless those concerns are addressed, I cannot support it.”

Ms Ryan noted people were being treated without dignity in their twilight and knew her decision would disappoint many people.

Both Ms Ryan and Mr McCurdy called for more resources to be put into helping people in palliative care with end-of-life choices without going to the step of voluntary assisted death.