The time to write this law is now

18 Aug 2026

• 

  “It’s been a journey” Sue Shearer

  
  Thursday 23 July 2026 — The Rights of the Terminally Ill Bill 2026 introduced to NT Parliament
• 25/27 August – Debate and vote.

In 2018, COTA NT surveyed its Members about whether they supported the rights of Territorians to access voluntary assisted dying and then asked the broader community the same at the beginning of 2020, the vast majority said yes. I knew then that we, the organisation and I personally needed to commit our energy, time and whatever resources we could to achieving this goal.

I have spent many years advocating for the rights of older Territorians, and one issue that has remained close to my heart is ensuring people have dignity, choice and control at the end of life. The Northern Territory was once a world leader in voluntary assisted dying, becoming the first jurisdiction in the world to legalise it in 1995. When those laws were overturned by the Commonwealth, many Territorians felt that an important choice had been taken away.

Serving on the Northern Territory Government’s Expert Advisory Panel has been one of the most significant experiences of my career. It gave me the opportunity to travel extensively across the Territory, listening to people from all walks of life, hearing deeply personal stories and understanding the many different perspectives on voluntary assisted dying.

It was — and is — a privilege to work alongside passionate, dedicated and generous advocates who have devoted years to this cause. People such as Marshall Perron, Judy Dent, Luke Gosling, Andrew Denton, Suzanne James, Peter Warren and many others. All shared a common commitment to ensuring Territorians could make informed choices at the end of life. Their willingness to share knowledge, listen respectfully and keep the conversation focused on compassion and dignity has been both inspiring and humbling.

For COTA NT, this has never been about politics. It has always been about respecting the wishes of individuals facing terminal illness and ensuring they have access to compassionate, informed choices. Over many years, we have worked to keep this conversation alive, educate the community and encourage governments to listen.

Seeing voluntary assisted dying legislation introduced again in the Northern Territory is a significant milestone. While there is still work to do before the legislation is passed and
implemented, it represents real progress. Once the laws are in place, our role does not end. We will continue working with government through its promised review of the legislation, ensuring that practical experience informs any future improvements. Issues such as the patient-led model, communication restrictions and the eligibility framework are carefully
evaluated to ensure the laws are working as intended and that people who are eligible can access them fairly and compassionately.

For me, this journey has reinforced that there is no single story or one-size-fits-all approach. Every conversation has reminded me that people simply want the opportunity to make decisions that align with their own values, beliefs and circumstances.

Every Territorian deserves to understand their options, have access to accurate information and make informed decisions.

Reaching this point is something to acknowledge, but it is not the end of the journey. If these laws pass Parliament, the real work will begin — supporting Territorians to understand the legislation, ensuring access is fair and equitable and working with government to review the laws in light of lived experience so they continue to meet the
needs of the community.

Sue Shearer

(As published in Seniors Voice Issue 3, August 2026)