A Victorian MP has told the state parliament’s upper house that legalising assisted dying was “like having an unexploded bomb in the house”.

“They’re legalising death. If this bill is so safe, why does it need 78 safeguards?” Nationals MP Luke O’Sullivan asked the Victorian parliament’s upper house on Friday as passionate debate continues about proposed assisted dying laws.

His comments come as Agriculture Minister Jaala Pulford’s speech drew tears in the chamber on Thursday, as she recounted watching her 13-year-old daughter Sinead die of cancer.

“Rejecting this bill will not save a single life”, she said, because it will only be available to those already dying from illness.

“And when Sinead died, she was holding my hand, I was able to tell her how brave she had been, how loved she was and how it was okay for her to go now.”

Ms Pulford was followed on Thursday by equally passionate Liberal MP Bernie Finn, who railed against the lack of palliative care in regional Victoria, forcing people to choose an early death.

“If suicide is all we offer people, that’s all they will take,” Mr Finn said.

Vote 1 Local Jobs MP James Purcell says he will vote “yes” to the bill, but he will also vote for some amendments.

The legislation is expected to face a tight vote when it returns to parliament again in two weeks, with a number of MPs seeking amendments before offering their support.

The major parties have allowed a conscience vote on the controversial bill, which needs 21 supporters to get through the 40-member upper house.

So far 19 MPs have declared support, while several others say they are prepared to vote in favour only if they can make amendments, which could be rejected.

—with AAP