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🇦🇺 Australia /Elections & Politics

Northern Territory government faces backbench amendments to voluntary assisted dying bill

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Northern Territory lawmakers are considering numerous amendments to the government's voluntary assisted dying (VAD) bill.
  • Several Country Liberal Party backbenchers propose removing the 12-month prognosis requirement and lifting restrictions on health workers initiating VAD discussions.
  • The bill faces a conscience vote soon, with internal party pressure mounting for changes despite the government's guaranteed numbers to pass it in its current form.

The Northern Territory government is navigating a significant internal debate over its Rights of the Terminally Ill bill, with a substantial number of amendments being proposed by its own backbenchers ahead of a crucial conscience vote.

There are people in my own party, from other parties, from across the community, who are all rallying behind the idea that we should get the VAD bill right the first time.

— Tanzil RahmanMember for Fong Lim Tanzil Rahman explaining the broad support for amending the VAD bill.

The bill, introduced by the Country Liberal Party (CLP), aims to legalize voluntary assisted dying (VAD) for terminally ill individuals, aligning with all other Australian states and territories. However, VAD advocates have raised concerns about the bill's 12-month prognosis requirement and a clause preventing health workers from broaching the subject of VAD with patients.

Several CLP members, including Tanzil Rahman and Laurie Zio, are pushing for key changes. Rahman's proposed amendments seek to eliminate the 12-month prognosis period and refine the definition of terminal illness. He also aims to lift the "gag clause" on health workers, allowing them to initiate VAD conversations, provided they also discuss palliative care options. Rahman stated his goal is to "reflect the best practice standard across the country."

What I've endeavoured to do is reflect the best practice standard across the country.

— Tanzil RahmanMember for Fong Lim Tanzil Rahman on his proposed amendments to the VAD bill.

Zio is also advocating for the removal of the prognosis period and the gag clause. While the government asserts it has the votes to pass the bill as is, Zio expressed uncertainty about the amendments' success, noting that individual members will decide on the day of the conscience vote. Other members, Clinton Howe and Brian O'Gallagher, are also expected to introduce amendments.

People will come to the table and decide on the day, given it is a conscience vote.

— Laurie ZioCLP Member for Fannie Bay Laurie Zio on the uncertainty of proposed amendments passing during a conscience vote.

Behind the scenes, CLP members are facing pressure from party branches. Directors from the North Darwin and Trower branches have urged Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro to amend the bill, specifically targeting the prognosis period and gag clause. This internal dissent highlights a divide within the party regarding the VAD legislation.

I'm hoping people will come to the table on these two specific amendments, but there's no guarantee at all as to what will happen.

— Laurie ZioCLP Member for Fannie Bay Laurie Zio expressing doubt about the success of her proposed amendments.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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