NT Voluntary Assisted Dying committee opens consultation

The committee tasked with consulting Territorians on Voluntary Assisted Dying has revealed where it will visit and what questions it will ask as it works to prepare a report for the parliament.

Consultation is now open for the LCAC’s Voluntary Assisted Dying inquiry. Getty Images.

The committee tasked with consulting Territorians on Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) has revealed where it will visit and what questions it will ask as it works to prepare a report for the parliament.

The Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee is aiming to host hearings in a dozen locations in August: Ali Curung, Alice Springs, Ampilatwatja, Borroloola, Darwin, Galiwinku, Maningrida, Ngukurr, Papunya, Santa Teresa, Tennant Creek, and Wurrumiyanga.

It has this week released a consultation paper to guide the inquiry, outlining background information and highlighting four key questions for consideration.

1. Do you support making VAD legal in the NT?
2. What eligibility criteria should a person need to meet before they can access VAD?
3. How could the NT make sure that an eligible person can access VAD in a safe and effective way, including people living in remote areas and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people?
4. How could the NT monitor the process to ensure VAD is delivered safely and effectively?

The LCAC will write to about 250 organisations asking them to make a written submission, and is encouraging all interested Territorians to do the same.

In a statement, the committee said the scheduled hearing dates and locations may change “based on individual community willingness, availability, interest, and resources”.

The locations were chosen to supplement the work already done in the 2024 VAD in the NT Final Report – which held community consultations in Katherine, Alice Springs, Wadeye, Tennant Creek, Darwin and Palmerston over the span of eight months.

That report, prepared by an independent expert advisory panel, acknowledged the need for continued engagement with Aboriginal Territorians around VAD in light of “a notable silence or hesitation from some communities and organisations” to participate in consultations.

Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said it was important all Territorians felt they had had the chance to contribute to the debate.

“This is a really significant piece of reform and it’s very important to Territorians on both sides of the aisle,” she said.

Mrs Finocchiaro would not state her personal position on VAD, and confirmed all members of the NT legislative assembly would have a conscience vote if legislation was introduced.

“What I support is a process that gives Territorians confidence going forward, and that requires thorough and respectful consultation right across the Northern Territory,” she said.

“Like any member of parliament I’ll be out asking my community their views on this issue.”

Chair of the LCAC Tanzil Rahman said the committee was “making excellent progress” on the inquiry, which is due to submit its report by the end of September.

“We look forward to consulting widely across the Territory in August, listening to the voices of Territorians, and receiving submissions from everyone interested in VAD,” Dr Rahman said.

The VAD inquiry is open for submissions from now until August 15, and submissions can be made in writing by email to [e-mail], or verbally by phone to its VAD Hotline on [phone].

Originally published as NT Voluntary Assisted Dying committee opens consultation