Voluntary assisted dying in the Northern Territory
In 1995, the Territory became the first jurisdiction in the world to legalise euthanasia when a private members’ bill passed. Unfortunately, it was quashed by the federal government a mere two years later.
But when the Australian Parliament passed the Restoring Territory Rights Bill 2022, the NT's right to legislate on voluntary assisted dying was finally restored.
The NT Government has assembled an Expert Advisory Panel to consider the legalisation of VAD in the Territory. Led by co-chairs The Hon Vicki O’Halloran AO CVO and Duncan McConnel SC, the panel comprises Dr Christine Sanderson, Dr Devaki Monani, Dr Geetanjali Lamba, Dr Kane Vellar, Mrs Susan Shearer, and Mrs Ursula Raymond. A report is due by July 2024.
