Half of Northern Territory parliamentarians have voiced their support for reinstating the rights of Territorians to choose voluntary assisted dying following the release of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee report. Source: NT News.
Territorians are the only Australians who do not have access to voluntary assisted dying — despite the NT initially being the first place in the world to legalise euthanasia.
Following the repeal of a 25-year federal Government gag order on the two Territory parliaments in 2022, there have been two rounds of consultation on a future VAD scheme.
After the release of the report last month recommending the NT should once again introduce VAD, Attorney-General Marie-Clare Boothby confirmed members would be allowed a conscience vote on the draft Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill.
Ms Boothby said she was aiming to present the legislation by early 2026.
The NT News polled all 25 members of Parliament following the report’s release, with 13 stating they believed the NT should allow voluntary assisted dying.
However, given there is no draft legislation, most members said they would have to consult with their communities before indicating how they would vote on a bill before parliament.
Only 10 members declined to provide their personal views on VAD, with two members from the report committee remaining silent.
Chief Minister Lia Finocchio and three key ministers declined to voice their opinions on assisted dying ahead of the legislation being developed.
Health Minister Steve Edgington, Disability and Seniors Minister Jinson Charls, and Ms Boothby refused to state their personal position on the issue.
However, Acting Chief Minister Gerard Maley said that while he supports the principals of VAD, he will be asking his constituents before voting.
Ms Finocchio did not reveal her stance, but like a number of others, stated the intention to “continue to consult with my community on this important issue”.
In September last year, shortly after coming into government, Ms Finocchiaro said the return of assisted dying laws in the NT was “not an immediate priority”.
FULL STORY
Voluntary Assisted Dying: What do NT parliamentarians really think? (By Zizi Averill and Lottie Hood, NT News)
