NT Federal politicians support Territorians being given back the right to choose
THE Territory’s four representatives in federal parliament are supporters of repealing Federal legislation blocking our right to decide on euthanasia
Northern Territory
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- Territorians deserve same rights that 97 per cent of Australians already enjoy
- Editorial: Give us back our rights to discuss euthanasia in the NT
- Petition asking for cruel NT Bill’s repeal gaining support
THE Territory’s four representatives in federal parliament are supporters of repealing Federal legislation blocking our right to decide on euthanasia.
Senator Malarndirri McCarthy
Whether or not you support euthanasia – and I recognise the complexity and sensitivity of the arguments for and against – Territorians deserve equal democratic rights to their fellow Australians. I have said on the record many times that the ultimate goal of the Northern Territory should be statehood. This is unfinished business for us. It is absurd that the NT and the ACT cannot make laws for their own jurisdictions, and that Northern Territory legislation can be overridden at the whim of the federal government with no consideration paid to the best interests of local people.
Warren Snowdon – excerpt from his 2018 speech
We Territorians should have the same rights as every other Australian. We Territorians should elect, and do elect, our own territory governments.
Who we elect is our responsibility. The laws they pass are ultimately our responsibilities.
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Member for Solomon Luke Gosling
In my first term, with the support of my ACT Labor colleagues, I introduced a private members bill in Parliament to restore Territory rights. However, the Coalition Federal Government let it lapse from the calendar unheard, because they had no interest in allowing Territorians to have the same status as Australians living in the states.
My office has been discussing a bill that would restore the rights of Territorians to legislate on euthanasia with Andrew Leigh from the ACT, and other colleagues. These conversations are continuing.
Clearly the rights of Territorians are not a priority for the Federal Government, and securing support for this bill has become more difficult.
Territorians deserve to have the same rights and freedoms, as do Australians in the states – it’s as simple as that.
I will continue to speak to my colleagues on both sides of the House and will fight to ensure the Territories are as free as the states to make laws concerning their own affairs and interests.
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Senator Sam McMahon
We were the first jurisdiction in the world to legalise euthanasia and the ability to make that decision was taken away from us by a southerner.
I would like to see that decision put back in our hands.
For a private member or senator bill it really must come from the government so there is no point in Labor putting it up. You need to see how much support there is in the government as to where it would get through. This is something I would consider doing and I would seek to see what support I have in the Liberal and National Party. It’s something I would give consideration to.
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