Final report for framework for Voluntary Assisted Dying in the NT released

31 Jul 2024

The final report into the development of a framework for Voluntary Assisted Dying in the Northern Territory has been released.

Voluntary Assisted Dying allows eligible people – such as those with a terminal illness – to seek medical assistance to end their life. It is not available in the Northern Territory but it is available in all other Australian states and the ACT.

The report aims to provide information about how Voluntary Assisted Dying might work in the Northern Territory, if a future Territory Government determines to proceed with introducing Voluntary Assisted Dying.

• The report – which has 22 recommendations – was developed by an independent expert advisory panel, co-chaired by the Hon Vicki O’Halloran AO CVO and Duncan McConnel SC.
• A re-elected Lawler Labor Government has committed to review the recommendations and move forward with proposed legislation to introduce a Voluntary Assisted Dying scheme. Voluntary Assisted Dying is a conscience issue for all members of the Parliamentary Labor Party.
• The panel undertook a wide range of public consultation for Voluntary Assisted Dying from August 2023 – May 2024.
• During this period, the panel visited Darwin, Palmerston, Katherine, Alice Springs, Nhulunbuy, Jabiru, Tennant Creek and Wadeye.
• Members heard from over 350 individual participants through public forums and meetings, met with around 60 organisations, received 98 written submissions and almost 1,400 survey responses.

The report details 22 recommendations which government will now consider, and if supported, will inform draft legislation for voluntary assisted dying in the Northern Territory.

To view the report, please visit: cmc.nt.gov.au/vad
Source: Northern Territory Government Newsroom Press Release 31 July 2024

The report has also been published to the COTA NT website, VAD-report-2024

[Extract from Page 5 of the Report, Letter to the Chief Minister]

“…Although it is not within the Panel’s Terms of Reference we believe we should convey to you a strong body of opinion that has been expressed during the consultation period, that there should be legislation to enable a person, whilst they still have capacity to express in an advance personal plan/health directive, a wish to access voluntary assisted dying in preparation for their end-of-life. Panel members have always explained this matter does not directly form part of our Terms of Reference but feel that it is important to bring to your attention what we have heard when it is of a consistent nature during engagement.”

COTA NT’s position on Voluntary Assisted Dying Legislation

COTA surveys conducted in 2018 and 2020 indicated that over 78% of Territorians, 84% of Australians and over 91% of COTA NT Members supported having legislation for assisted dying in the NT (see survey findings). From 2021, COTA NT lobbied for this result.

2 December 2022 – The Restoring Territory Rights Bill was passed in the Senate which brought both Territories into line with the rest of Australia by allowing each Parliament to discuss and Voluntary Assisted Dying Laws.

“It is now up to the Territory Government not to procrastinate and draft a bill to legislate the NT’s voluntary assisted dying laws. After all, Territorians have waited over 25 years for this day.” Sue Shearer, CEO COTA NT, 2 December 2022