The bill to allow the Territories to legalise voluntary assisted dying (VAD) has been hailed by seniors’ advocates and Territory Governments, but condemned by religious groups, following its passage through the House of Representatives this month.
The Restoring Territory Rights Bill 2022, introduced by Luke Gosling, Labor MP for Solomon (above) and Alicia Payne, Labor Member for Canberra, passed the House 99-37 in a conscience vote last week; if it passes the Senate, it would reverse a ban implemented by the Howard Government in 1997 on Territories allowing VAD.
In his speech to Parliament, Mr Gosling said the bill aimed to restore fairness, and that people living in the NT and ACT are currently treated as “second-class citizens”.
“As federal legislators, it is not our role, when it comes to voting on this bill, to treat it as a vote by proxy for or against voluntary assisted dying. That is not our responsibility.
“That responsibility lies with the members of the NT and ACT legislative assemblies, should they choose to draft legislation on this issue.
“This private member’s bill restores the democratic rights of citizens in the territories by removing a constraint on the legislative authority of their elected representatives which does not exist anywhere else in Australia,” he said.
Ahead of the bill’s introduction, Sue Shearer, CEO of Council on the Ageing (COTA) NT (pictured), urged sitting MPs to “do the right thing” and allow its passage.
“COTA NT has petitioned for the right of the Territory to make its own laws regarding voluntary assisted dying. Its petitions were submitted to the Attorney General of the day, Michaelia Cash, who wrote to us to say that she and her government would not support voluntary assisted dying laws. The Minister for the Northern Territory wrote to tell me that our petition request was negated.
“Now finally, an injustice could be righted with the Territories being able to make these important decisions on behalf of their residents themselves,” she said.
However, Catholic Health Australia (CHA), the peak body for Catholic Not For Profit health and aged care services, has spoken out against the bill.
Brigid Meney, CHA’s Director of Strategy & Mission, urged Senators to “think carefully” before voting in favour, and wants to see more support for palliative care.
“We urge Senators to reconsider their support for such a bill, which will send a bleak message to the vulnerable in the community that their lives are no longer valued by the Commonwealth Government.
“At the very least, there must be a referral to a Senate committee that investigates the access and affordability of palliative care services in the territories. This would show whether a ‘choice’ in end-of-life care is truly something that can even be delivered on,” she said.
NSW became the final state to legalise VAD in May, with its laws to come into effect at the end of 2023.
