Northern Territory battle over ‘assisted dying’ law resumes

The Northern Territory’s battle with legislation over voluntary assisted dying (VAD), or doctor-assisted dying, has been revived.  

On 1 October, the NT government announced that VAD laws would be drafted after a parliamentary committee report had recommended that it follow the lead of the other states.  

Darwin Archbishop Charles Gauci says all aspects of life need to be “respected and guarded,” especially as the VAD plan is proposing expanding its scope. 

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“Some aspects of that really worry me; they are pragmatic and not thought out,” he told The Catholic Weekly.  

“They are including a person knowing they’ve got a serious illness but there are no time limits – it could be in five years they will die of the disease.” 

He said he had concerns from both a Christian and a humanitarian perspective. He supports instead an increase in the quality and support provided by palliative care.  

In 1995, the Northern Territory was the first jurisdiction in the world to pass a law authorising euthanasia, the Rights of the Terminally Ill Act 1995 (NT). Four people died under the act. However, in 1997, after a fierce nation-wide debate, the Federal Parliament nullified the law. 

Former ABC presenter and comedian Andrew Denton, whose charity Go Gentle has advocated and pushed for euthanasia laws in every state and the Australian Capital Territory, told fellow advocates to “sign a petition, write to your local member, and be relentless” in their quest to get VAD back in the NT.  

Denton, whose passion for VAD comes from watching the traumatic and slow death of his father, Kit Denton, told NT News the Territory is in a position to choose the best parts of euthanasia laws to adopt because it will be the last in the nation to pass such a law.  

Archbishop Gauci said having VAD available leads to the temptation to opt for euthanasia over more challenging or lengthy processes such as entering palliative care. 

He said safeguards for medical professionals who do not want to refer a patient for VAD must be in place and their consciences should be “deeply respected.” The enthusiasm of euthanasia advocates should be curbed. 

“The intention may not be overreach but the result could become overreach,” said the archbishop.  

Members of the NT government, including chief minister Lia Finocchiaro, health minister Steve Edgington, disability and seniors minister Jinson Charls, and attorney-general Marie-Clare Boothby, have been coy about their personal beliefs about VAD. 

In September 2024, Finocchiaro said the reintroduction of VAD laws to the territory was “not an immediate priority.” 

The VAD bill is expected to be introduced to the legislative assembly in early 2026.  

Archbishop Gauci urged sensitivity around the subject and said society needs to “walk with wisdom.” 

“I also put a word of wisdom, a caution on the larger society who may have different beliefs to look at the dignity of the human person and the long-term effect,” he said. 

“Once we open the Pandora’s box, other things that have not been intended can start creeping in.”   

Meanwhile, in Queensland, new data shows that the people most likely to opt for VAD live in the regions, prompting complaints about a shortage of qualified VAD practitioners.