Voluntary assisted dying a matter of life and death, so Territorians should have the right to decide for themselves: Jacqui Lambie

It’s time for the federal government to stop treating Territorians like second-class citizens and let them decide for themselves whether they want voluntary assisted dying, writes JACQUI LAMBIE.

I LOVE my dad. He’s a rock star in our home town in Tassie, so much so that sometimes I get a little jealous.

Without him, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. He’s not showing much sign of slowing down, but he’s getting on in years.

Recently the Tasmanian government voted to legalise voluntary assisted dying. When the time comes, I know my dad will have the right to choose how and when his life will end.

But that choice, and the peace of mind that comes with knowing that choice is there, is not afforded to all Australians. It’s purely based on where he lives.

In early March Tasmania’s state parliament overwhelmingly supported a bill to allow voluntary assisted dying.

This makes Tassie the third state in the country to allow the terminally ill a choice in the way they leave this Earth.

It’s the fourth jurisdiction, but the Northern Territory, which was the first place in the world to legislate voluntary assisted dying, had that right revoked barely a year after Territorians legislated for it when the federal government overruled them and banned them from voting on it ever again.

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What is the difference between a state and a territory?

Well, territories get four fewer senators (some reckon that’s a good thing), but they also get way fewer rights.

They have parliaments the same as we do, the people who live there celebrate the same holidays we do, and share our Australian values. So why aren’t they trusted to make their own decisions?

Robust debates have been had all over the country on this issue, which is a great thing. That’s democracy. Gagging the territories from even debating it sounds like something that would happen in a dictatorship.

How hurtful and demeaning it must be for terminally ill Australians living in the Northern Territory who would like access to assisted dying, to see another state allow its citizens the right to choose, knowing that theirs were stripped away.

Territorians are Aussies, just like the rest of us. But you are being treated like second-class citizens. Like children. As if your leaders are not capable of making choices on behalf of their people.

The power for the territories to choose was taken from them by a decision of the federal parliament.

A decision based on the strongly held belief that life, of all kinds, at all times, is precious. There’s nothing wrong with having strong beliefs — I have many myself. But I put them to those who disagree with me, and we work it out. I do not say to them: You can’t have your say — you’re doing it my way.

Jacqui Lambie. Picture: Gary Ramage

I understand the very valid fears and concerns people have against voluntary assisted dying. There are doctors out there who aren’t comfortable providing life-ending drugs when they stand by a code to “Do No Harm”. There are people out there afraid the floodgates will open, and vulnerable, dying people will be exploited, pushed out the door, and made to feel like they don’t matter. There are those who are against it for religious reasons.

I also understand the other side. I’ve seen it myself. People nearing the end of their lives who can no longer control their bodies, whose partners become their carers.

I can’t imagine what it’s like being trapped in a body that no longer works. To have your partner, the person you love the most, left to feed and bathe you, watching you suffer. And you can’t even give them a hug, you can’t even say thank you, I love you. I can’t imagine the guilt, the loss of dignity, the hopelessness.

I am not saying life-ending drugs should be handed out on street corners or available in vending machines. I’m not even advocating the ACT or the NT should allow doctors to provide them. I am saying it is unjust that the territories aren’t even trusted with the right to choose whether they want the right to choose.

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There are serious and valid arguments on both sides. That’s fine. But let them have it out. That’s how decisions get made. For God’s sake, let the territories decide for themselves.

Jacqui Lambie is a Tasmanian Senator