Earlier this month Health Minister Jill Hennessy declared her support for some sort of assisted dying regime, prompting a cascade of ministers to also affirm their backing for the practice.

Health Minister Jill Hennessy is leading the government's response to a ground-breaking multi-party inquiry that recommended Victoria adopt assisted dying laws.  Photo: Amy Paton

Ms Hennessy is leading the government's response to a ground-breaking multi-party inquiry that recommended Victoria adopt assisted dying laws.

A Fairfax Media survey of MPs from all sides of politics has found there is likely to be enough support for assisted dying legislation, as long as the laws were robust and clearly defined with sufficient protection from abuse.

Earlier this month Premier Daniel Andrews, without throwing his full support behind voluntary euthanasia, declared that the state was failing dying Victorians.

"We are failing as a community," he said. "We are failing many, many people; we have to do better."

Many MPs in the Victorian Parliament are now also backing change.

Fairfax Media contacted more than half of Victorian parliamentarians about their position on assisted dying and a clear majority either supported or were leaning towards introducing the regime.

Labor MP Sharon Knight said she was a strong supporter of assisted dying. "I've held that position since I was about 18," she said.

Several Liberal MPs, including Mary Wooldridge, Georgie Crozier and Edward O'Donohue have also previously expressed support with appropriate safeguards.

However, some MPs remain opposed.

Nationals leader Peter Walsh said he feared some older people may feel threatened or pressured by others to end their lives against their own wishes.

"Life is precious and whatever your religious beliefs I think we should do everything we can to preserve life," he said. "I believe there should be more investment in palliative care and the dying process but I'm against assisted dying."

Liberal MP Bernie Finn said he was also opposed to any change. "I fail to see how any law would be drafted that would preclude an innocent person from being killed," he said.

Mr Finn said laws with "good intent" overseas had been abused.

Some MPs have insisted on seeing the legislation before forming a final view.

Nationals deputy leader Steph Ryan said it was difficult to make a judgment before seeing the exact proposal although she appreciated the arguments for assisted dying. "But I want to do further research and talk to the medical profession and my own electorate before I come to a view," she said.

Legislation is some way off, with Ms Hennessy still working on a response she will take to the cabinet on the landmark parliamentary inquiry's recommendations.

The government is due to respond to the inquiry by December.

Supporters of reform are conscious that any legislation will need to be clearly defined and include the rigorous safeguards.

The Greens, who support assisted dying, want all parties to have input on drafting any bill to come before Parliament.

Dying with Dignity Victoria president Lesley Vick said representatives from the group were meeting with their local MPs across Victoria to campaign for assisted dying and measure support among parliamentarians.

She said the level of support was still unclear but she believed it was growing. Ms Vick said lobbying would continue until the last possible moment.   

Agriculture Minister Jaala Pulford lost her 13-year-old daughter Sinead to cancer almost two years ago, following a 12-week illness.

When Parliament last voted on physician-assisted dying – Greens MP Colleen Hartland put forward a bill in 2008 – Ms Pulford voted against it, but now she is a supporter.

"Since then, I've learnt more about death and dying than I ever cared to," she told Fairfax Media earlier this month. "I think our laws need to change to reflect the needs of people experiencing profound suffering."