OPINION: The federal government needs to explain to us why we can’t have the same rights as people who enjoy statehood

NORTHERN Territorians are second class citizens – at least in the view of the Federal Government and have been for almost a quarter of a century … WRITES SENATOR SAM MCMAHON

NORTHERN Territorians are second class citizens – at least in the view of the Federal Government and have been for almost a quarter of a century.

In 1997, the then Federal Government ran roughshod over the Territory and passed legislation overturning the Territory’s world first Assisted Dying Legislation.

The Rights of the Terminally Ill (ROTI) legislation became law on July 1 1996, but lasted a mere nine months, before Victorian MP Kevin Andrews introduced the Commonwealth Euthanasia Act 1997 which blocked the Territory’s rights to legalise voluntary assisted dying.

In the 24 years that have passed since then the Federal Government still considers us second class citizens by refusing to overturn the bill.

MORE NT NEWS EDITORIALS AND OPINIONS

LIA FINOCCHIARO: CLP’s Territory Coordinator plan will fast track major projects

Industries rightfully nervous

MATT CUNNINGHAM: Speech must remain free in a democracy

Several attempts have been made over the year to repeal the bill including one by former Senator David Leyonhjelm, but it was narrowly defeated in the Senate.

The Northern Territory government should have the right to pass legislation for its citizens. The fact it does not is fundamentally unjust and unfair.

The Commonwealth has created two classes of Australians – those who can have legislation passed and those who can’t.

It is an absurdity that Victoria and Western Australia have legalised it, Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania are debating it, but the NT and the ACT can’t pass laws governing their own citizens.

Territorians have the same right to self-determination as every other Australian and the Commonwealth should act to overturn the ban as soon as possible.

The federal government needs to explain to us why we can’t have the same rights as people who enjoy statehood.

We are all Australians and where we choose to live should not afford us differing levels of governance. States and Territory’s do have laws that differ slightly in different areas, that is and should be their right, the right to make laws that fit their geographical, sociological and political situations. The right to make laws that are appropriate and desired by their citizens.

This is discrimination against hundreds of thousands of Australians based solely on where they choose to live.

HOT NEW DEAL: $1 for 28 days subscription offer

Voluntary assisted dying is available in several countries around the world including Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Colombia, Luxembourg, Germany and a number of US states.

Territory politicians from both sides are in agreement on this issue, Territorians deserve the right to choose their own destiny. I will work tenaciously with my Parliamentary colleagues to try to have the bill repealed and restore the Territory’s right to make it own laws.

Sam McMahon is a Northern Territory CLP Senator