National's Paula Bennett says some Kiwis have suffered 'horrible deaths', backing euthanasia Bill

National deputy leader Paula Bennett spoke out today in support of the End of Life Choice Bill, a move that contradicts one of her closest allies, Simon Bridges. 

In its current form, the euthanasia Bill "gives people with a terminal illness or a grievous and irremediable medical condition the option of requesting assisted dying".

"I believe there are safeguards in there," Ms Bennett told TVNZ1's Breakfast today. "I believe that for some people we have seen them have horrible deaths. I've heard the words of Lecretia Seales and her family. I've certainly spoken to a lot of people, and New Zealanders want this choice.

"I'm staunchly in the camp of choice. I will be supporting the End of Life Choice Bill," she added. 

There were a lot of MPs who wanted to see the right checks put in place, Ms Bennett said, and the Select Committee would be providing ideas to come through when the legislation returns to the House. 

"I'm going to be supporting," she reiterated.

Mr Bridges has repeatedly said he still does not support a Bill, saying "there is a sanctity of life argument".

Earlier on Breakfast today, a critic of the proposed law change called it "the worst, most dangerous, half-baked, poorly thought through piece of legislation" he'd ever seen. New Zealand First MP Shane Jones, who joined Ms Bennett on the programme today, hit back at Richard McLeod from Lawyers for Vulnerable New Zealanders.

The "shrill voices aren't actually constructive", he said.  

"We think temporary occupants in Parliament should actually hand it over to all New Zealanders. Having said that, I personally find this quite a tapu subject... I genuinely think if there is a way of all of New Zealanders finally reflecting - do they want choice or do they want something else? - I'm comfortable with that."