Votes on a bill to legalise euthanasia in South Australia have been delayed. 

The Parliament's Upper House passed the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill last Wednesday, after 16 failed attempts to introduce the measure over the last 26 years.

After the bill passed, SA Premier Steven Marshall said it would go to the Lower House “promptly” for a vote.

“This is an important issue and I do not want its consideration to be unduly delayed through parliamentary processes,” he said.

“That is why I have decided to progress debate on this legislation immediately.”

Many supporters of the bill expected it to appear for debate this week, but it has not been included in the latest parliamentary program.

“We're really concerned that the weekly program for the Lower House has been published and it's missing voluntary assisted dying,” said Shadow Attorney-General Kyam Maher, who introduced the bill.

“More than 80 per cent of South Australia want to see this become law and it doesn't appear to be progressing next week.

“We have people with terminal illnesses right now who would very much like to see this bill passed so that in the future they might be able to use this legislation — like Victorians can, like Western Australians are just about to be able to, like Tasmanians will soon.”

A spokesperson for the Premier pointed out that Mr Marshall mentioned a time frame of “coming weeks” during a press conference last week. 

Mr Marshall has indicated he will personally support the bill, but is offering a conscience vote in respect for the views of other Liberals.