Voluntary assisted dying advocates ‘ecstatic’ as NT government sets up consultation panel

Years of advocacy by families seeking voluntary assisted dying in the Territory has reached a ‘huge milestone’ as the government establishes an advisory panel on euthanasia laws.

The Northern Territory government’s commitment to establish an independent advisory panel into voluntary assisted dying has been welcomed as “a huge milestone” that has been too-long in the making.

“Finally – I’ll say it again – finally,” advocate Judy Dent said.

It was bittersweet news for the woman who has been calling for reform for almost three decades.

“I’m a bit sad that it’s taken them so long, but glad they’re finally getting around to doing something about it.”

For more than 27 years Judy Dent has been fighting to once again have voluntary euthanasia legalised in the Northern Territory. Photograph: Che Chorley

Ms Dent’s husband Bob was the first person in the world to die by legal voluntary euthanasia in 1996 under the Territory’s landmark Rights of the Terminally Ill Act.

Soon after, however, the federal government stripped the territories of their right to enact euthanasia laws – a right that was not restored until December last year.

On Saturday the government announced it would establish an advisory panel on voluntary assisted dying to carry out community consultation and provide an independent report to policymakers by July next year.

Ms Dent said she was hopeful the Territory community would support voluntary assisted dying laws and bring the jurisdiction in line with all Australian states which have passed similar legislation.

“The key word is ‘voluntary’, if you don’t like it, ignore it – it’s not a seatbelt law, nobody’s going to fine you for not participating,” she said.

Spud Thomas and partner Sharon Cramp-Oliver, whose mum took her own life in 2017 without access to euthanasia. Picture: Floss Adams

Bynoe woman Sharon Cramp-Oliver has been advocating for reform since her mother, Liz Holmes, was forced to take her own life in 2017 after a long battle with terminal cancer, debilitating pain and no access to euthanasia.

“I’m relieved and ecstatic to see that something’s finally happening,” Ms Cramp-Oliver said.

“It’s a huge milestone, I almost feel like crying.”

Ms Holmes died alone in her garage, terrified her loved ones would be charged as an accessory to her death if they were present.

The last text Ms Cramp-Oliver received from her mum included encouragement to fight for euthanasia rights.

“She shouldn’t have had to do that by herself, people like my mother should have the right to choose,” Ms Cramp-Oliver said.

“We’ve been working really hard to do something about this because that’s what my mum wanted, this is her legacy.”

Ms Cramp-Oliver’s partner, Spud Thomas, said they were disappointed it had taken eight months since the Territory Rights Bill passed to get to this point.

“Politics should be put completely aside,” he said.

“It’s great the cogs are finally turning but everyone wishes it could happen a whole lot faster.”

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said Territory Labor would allow a conscience vote on voluntary assisted dying legislation if and when it hit parliament. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said the government was taking time to consider a “complex issue”.

“The Northern Territory has an unusual context in that we have a small population across a vast area, and we have English as a second language for a percentage of our population,” Ms Fyles said.

She said the advisory panel would examine the structure of how voluntary assisted dying policy could be developed, not whether it should be implemented.

Ms Fyles confirmed she personally supported voluntary assisted dying but Territory Labor Party members would be allowed a conscience vote on the issue.

NT government to act on voluntary assisted dying laws

The Territory government has finally moved to act on voluntary assisted dying reform, eight months after its right to legalise euthanasia was restored by the federal parliament.

An advisory panel will now be established — co-chaired by former NT administrator Vicki O’Halloran AO CVO and eminent barrister Duncan McConnel SC — to start community consultation on the issue.

The panel will then provide an independent report to the government by July next year, meaning any legislation is likely to come after the next Territory election the following August.

The CLP has maintained the reform would require thorough consultation and has not declared the party’s position on the issue.

The move comes after the commonwealth passed the Restoring Territory Rights Bill in December last year, which once again allowed the NT government to introduce euthanasia laws.

Former NT Administrator Vicki O'Halloran AO CVO will be one of two co-chairs of the voluntary assisted dying advisory panel. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Several NT Labor Party branches have since passed motions calling on the government to urgently act on the issue.

The Territory was the first jurisdiction in the world to legalise euthanasia when a private members’ bill passed in 1995, only to be quashed by the federal government two years later.

All Australian states have now passed voluntary assisted dying laws, while the ACT has started consultation and is expected to introduce its own laws by the end of this year.

People with “the requisite skills, knowledge and understanding of the NT and its people” are encouraged to apply to sit on the panel, which will travel across the Territory and look at interstate and overseas models.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said the panel would canvass a “wide range of views”.

“Voluntary assisted dying is a complex issue and one that many people feel passionate about,” she said.

“Territorians deserve to have a say on how they want these laws to work in the Territory to suit our needs.

“It can be a sensitive and confronting topic for many people so it is important that any future legislation is done through intensive and thorough consultation with all Territorians.”

Ms O’Halloran said voluntary assisted dying was an issue everybody deserved to have a say on.

“This is an imperative step forward for the Territory and I am honoured to play my part in this important consultation process,” she said.

NT Bar Association president Duncan McConnel SC has been appointed the panel’s other co-chair. Picture: Floss Adams.

“I look forward to reconnecting with Territorians far and wide to capture their views on what we know is important legislation for us to consider in 2024.”

Mr McConnel described the issue as an “important question of human rights” and one on which the NT should not be left behind.

“The Northern Territory is a unique place, so meaningful consultation and consideration of this issue across diverse cultures and communities is essential,” he said.

“Along with my other panel members we will endeavour to speak to as many Territorians as possible so we are fully informed on any potential voluntary assisted dying legislation.”

Those interested on sitting on the panel can email [e-mail]

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Originally published as Voluntary assisted dying advocates ‘ecstatic’ as NT government sets up consultation panel