NT to draft Voluntary Assisted Dying laws after committee recommends in favour
VAD laws will be introduced to the Northern Territory parliament, marking a significant step towards Territorians regaining the right to access end of life choices almost three decades after they were stripped away.
Voluntary Assisted Dying laws will be introduced to the Northern Territory parliament, marking a significant step towards Territorians regaining the right to access end of life choices almost three decades after they were stripped away.
The Country Liberal government has confirmed it will move ahead with drafting a VAD Bill, after the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee (LCAC) handed down a report on Tuesday recommending VAD be adopted in the NT.
Once the first place in the world to legalise voluntary euthanasia, the NT is now the only jurisdiction in Australia without VAD.
In May the NT Attorney-General asked the LCAC to prepare a consultation paper that would build on a comprehensive 2024 expert panel report, evaluate whether VAD should be introduced, and suggest model laws.
The committee returned 86 recommendations and drafting instructions consistent with laws in other Australian states, aligning most closely with the Australian Capital Territory.
Eligibility was recommended for adults with decision making capacity – not those with dementia – who had an advanced and progressive condition expected to cause death, and causing “intolerable and enduring suffering”.
In line with the ACT, the committee recommended the definition include both mental and physical suffering, and suffering that was actual, anticipated or expected.
It did not recommend a prognosis time frame for a person to be eligible for VAD, unlike most states which require a prognosis of six or 12 month left to live.
The LCAC differed from the 2024 report by recommending a decentralised service delivery model, and for the parameters of institutional conscientious objection to be expanded in the interests of cultural safety.
It called for cultural safety to be explicitly embedded as a guiding principle in NT VAD laws.
Acting Chief Minister Gerard Maley acknowledged the LCAC report and confirmed it would be tabled when parliament next sits later this month, with all members given the chance to contribute to debate.
“The Attorney-General will now progress drafting of voluntary assisted dying legislation to bring to the Legislative Assembly,” he said.
No time frame has been confirmed for when the draft Bill will be introduced, and members will be allowed a conscience vote when the time comes.
Council on the Aging NT chief executive Sue Shearer said she was “delighted” VAD laws were one step closer, but she would “believe it when I see it”.
“Territorians want the job done, I just hope it happens soon,” she said.
“On behalf of all Territorians, we want the same right to choose as the rest of Australia, to stop suffering.”
The Labor Opposition said it was “about time the CLP recognised that this is a priority for Territorians”.
Meanwhile the Australian Christian Lobby, a staunch opponent of VAD, condemned the move to bring the NT in line with the rest of the country.
“Instead of drafting VAD laws, the CLP should be closing the healthcare gap – investing in preventative care and education, palliative care, pain management, and mental health services that reach every community,” ACL NT director Nicholas Lay said.
“Until those services are provided, VAD is reckless and unjust.”
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Originally published as NT to draft Voluntary Assisted Dying laws after committee recommends in favour
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