Electoral and democratic equality for Territorians restores self-governance rights

The NT has electoral and democratic equality for the first time in 25 years. Find out what it means for Territorians.

ACT and NT Senators and Members posed for a photo before the final vote Restoring Territory Rights Vote in the senate at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Martin Ollman

For the first time in 25 years, Territorian have electoral and democratic equality.

Labor MP Luke Gosling co-sponsored the Restoring Territory Rights Bill, which passed in federal parliament on Thursday night.

He said restoring Territory rights sent a message the federal government respects the NT’s ability to debate and legislate around issues important to Territorians.

“That is a really important thing, that electoral equality, democratic equality,” he said.

“Having the same rights as people that live in the states is incredibly important to Territorians, whatever their personal views on issues like voluntary assisted dying.

“What (Thursday) night’s vote did is it showed the federal parliament thought that we should have the same rights to make legislation as the states and I think that’s really important and a great day for the Territory.”

Labor MP Luke Gosling said electoral and democratic equality was important to the Territory. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

One of the key issues the changes impact is the Territory’s ability to legislate euthanasia.

Mr Gosling said he had his own reservations about voluntary assisted dying but some federal members’ views were disappointing.

“What we saw in the debate is some members of federal parliament saying that their own view was more important than the view of Territorians, on issues that are very personal issues because they are to do with the end of life,” he said.

Senator Jacinta Price said she supported the bill.

“I supported the right for the Northern Territory to create legislation around voluntary assisted dying,” she said.

“I did, prior to the vote, put up amendments which were to protect our most vulnerable.

“As I said in the chamber, despite the fact that my amendment was not supported, I come to the Senate with my priority being our most vulnerable Australians.

“All I sought to do with the amendment was to not take away the rights of the Territory to make legislation around voluntary assisted dying, but to elevate the rights of children so they would not be subject to voluntary assisted dying, for disabled people, and for people with a mental impairment.”

Mr Gosling said the timing of any drafting of legislation would be a matter for the NT government and would come after extensive consultation with the Territory community.

Council on the Ageing NT chief executive Sue Shearer said Territorians were “dismissed as second-class citizens” when the federal government disallowed the Territory’s euthanasia laws in 1997.

“While it has taken over 25 years, a great injustice has been overturned and autonomy has been returned to the Territory,” she said.

“It is now up to the Territory government not to procrastinate and draft a bill to legislate the NT’s voluntary assisted dying laws.

“After all, Territorians have waited over 25 years for this day.”

Australia’s six states have already legalised voluntary euthanasia.

NT Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said restoring Territory rights was a “no-brainer”.

“So many Territorians have been watching this bill very closely and are pleased to finally see this historic day for democracy and Territory Rights.”

Lingiari MP Marion Scrymgour said it was past time the Territory’s rights be restored.

NT Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said Territorians deserved the same rights as every other Australian.

“The passing of the Restoring Territory Rights Bill in the federal parliament is a win for democracy and for all Territorians,” she said.

Ms Fyles said the decision was a positive step forward to “deciding what is best for ourselves”.

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Originally published as Electoral and democratic equality for Territorians restores self-governance rights