Opposition Leader Luke Foley's comment that he will not back voluntary assisted dying laws because he opposes "the state sanctioning the taking of human life" has been branded "offensive" by the husband of a terminally ill woman advocating for the change.
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A private members bill was introduced to the NSW upper house last Thursday, which would see terminally ill NSW residents aged 25 or over legally able to end their own life with medical assistance.
Labor and Coalition MPs will be granted a conscience vote on the bill due to be debated by the end of the year.
Its introduction prompted Mr Foley to tweet: "Personally, I will vote against. I oppose the state sanctioning the taking of human life. Opposed to capital punishment & euthanasia".
The comment was retweeted by several senior Catholic figures including the Bishop of Broken Bay, Peter Comensoli, a leading critic of the push for voluntary assisted dying laws.
But Paul Gabrielides, who along with his wife Anne, who suffers from motor neurone disease, has been a strong advocate for the NSW bill, responded to Mr Foley's tweet by inviting him to discuss his views.
On Friday Mr Gabrielides tweeted to Mr Foley again, this time with a picture of a tattoo on Anne's wrist which reads "be brave", urging him to "be brave" and meet her to discuss her choice.
"Luke. This a Tattoo on my wife's wrist, urging her to Be Brave in facing her Death. #BeBrave Luke and meet with her to discuss #HERCHOICE !" he wrote.
Mr Foley has not responded. Mr Gabrielides told Fairfax Media: "I took offence to what Luke said. He likened it to state sanctioned killing. That's offensive".
A spokesman for Mr Foley, who is on leave this week, said he was "uncontactable".
The spokesman said a request for a meeting with Mrs Gabrielides had been received by his office and will be considered on Mr Foley's return.
The Gabrielides are meeting with Premier Gladys Berejiklian next month to discuss her opposition to the laws.
Three weeks ago Ms Berejiklian said that "for me personally there is no wrong or right answer on this, but up to this point in time I find it difficult to allow the bill to go through."
Ms Berejiklian also said the state had "amazing palliative care" and while that might not work for every patient "I just don't like the idea of anyone feeling pressure or any circumstance which would ask them to take a proactive decision."
Mr Gabrielides said he was "hoping to change her mind".
