NT Chief Minister rejects opposition’s ‘back of the beer-coaster’ VAD legislation
Lia Finocchiaro has rejected the opposition's draft Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill, calling it a ‘back of the beer-coaster’ attempt at crucial legislation.
The Country Liberal Party government has shut down the opposition’s offer of Voluntary Assisted Dying legislation it drafted as a private members Bill.
On Monday Opposition Leader Selena Uibo sent a completed draft VAD Bill to the Chief Minister and Attorney-General, urging them to use it as a basis for public feedback rather than “waste more time” developing legislation from scratch.
In Question Time on Tuesday, Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro rubbished the offer as “ridiculous politicking at its worst”.
“The Opposition Leader believes that Territorians want a back of the beer-coaster VAD Bill, which I actually think is quite extraordinary given the gravity and sensitivity of what it is we are talking about,” she said.
Mrs Finocchiaro pointed to the work done by the bipartisan Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee (LCAC), which handed down its final report into VAD on September 30.
Based on its widespread consultations, the LCAC made 86 recommendations and offered specific drafting instructions for VAD legislation to be developed.
“We have a comprehensive plan. Drafting of the Bill has already started based on those 86 recommendations,” Mrs Finocchiaro said.
“We won’t be using your version, Opposition Leader. We will be following the proper process as we told Territorians we would.”
The LCAC report was tabled to parliament on Tuesday, marking the first official debate on VAD under the Finocchiaro government.
LCAC chair Tanzil Rahman dominated the day’s proceedings with a mammoth, three and a half-hour statement detailing the committee’s process and findings.
Dr Rahman said they expected between eight to 12 VAD deaths a year if it was introduced in the NT.
He explained why the LCAC recommended a decentralised service, embedded in existing healthcare services, instead of a centralised one as recommended in the 2024 expert panel report.
“This is about not letting the perfect be the enemy of the good,” Dr Rahman said.
“If we were flush with cash, and if we were flush with population, and if we were flush with health care workforce, then I would be the first one to say … we should have a completely stand-alone division of VAD.
“But that is just not realistic.”
Dr Rahman said a VAD scheme should use the existing network of primary health care providers, in both the public and private system.
A petition launched by VAD opponents was also presented to parliament on Tuesday, by Araluen independent Robyn Lambley.
Signed by 857 people, the petition called on members of the Legislative Assembly to vote down any VAD legislation, and to instead spend their time advocating for better palliative and aged care services in the NT.
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Originally published as NT Chief Minister rejects opposition’s ‘back of the beer-coaster’ VAD legislation
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