Northern Territory lags behind ACT in voluntary assisted dying laws

Despite being the first place in the world to pass euthanasia laws, Territorians are now the only Australians without a voluntary assisted dying bill.

Territorians are now the only Australians who have been denied the right to die with dignity, after the Australian Capital Territory passed its Voluntary Assisted Dying bill.

On Wednesday the Australian Capital Territory passed its Voluntary Assisted Dying bill, with 20 representatives voting in favour and only five opposed.

The scheme is expected to come into effect by November 2025.

The ACT bill allows nurses and doctors to assess, advise and support adults who are suffering from an advanced terminal condition and had full decision making capability to end their own lives.

Despite being the first place in the world to pass euthanasia laws, the Territory remains the only place in Australia without VAD legislation.

For 25 years the NT parliament has been blocked from debating the issue, after the federal government overturned the 1995 bill.

ACT Human Rights Minister Tara Cheyne introduced the bill to the Assembly on Tuesday. Photo: Contributed

In December 2022, the federal government passed the Restoring Territory Rights Bill, allowing the ACT and NT parliaments the ability to debate voluntary assisted dying laws.

Since 2023 the NT VAD advisory panel has been conducting wide-ranging community consultation sessions on a future VAD bill, with submissions closing on March 1.

Both sides of politics have committed to a free conscience vote when the bill is eventually presented to parliament.

However an NT News exclusive report revealed that only 44 per cent of current sitting members have actively voiced their support for the right to die.

Only eleven members confirmed they supported the right to die, if the appropriate safeguards were in place.

Twelve MLAs said they were undecided, with only one, Robyn Lambley stating she would not support any VAD legislation.

In comparison 89 per cent of NT News readers said they supported Territorians being able to access VAD.

Originally published as Northern Territory lags behind ACT in voluntary assisted dying laws