Here Comes State “Assisted Dying” By Mrs Vera West

As I understand this, the move is to overturn a federal law that restricts the right of the territories to enact voluntary euthanasia laws, also called assisted dying. The attempt by the Northern Territory to pass such laws was made in 1997, but was defeated at the federal level. Now it seems, under Labor, this will sail through the lower house, and probably with token resistance, will pass in the Senate. What can I say, there are so many battles now, that just writing about them take up one’s fading energy, let alone fighting them.

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“In 1997, Tony Burke was a high profile organiser mustering support to quash a law that had been passed in the Northern Territory to allow euthanasia.

Although not yet in parliament, Burke, who was executive director of Euthanasia No!, worked hand in glove with then Liberal MP Kevin Andrews, sponsor of the private member’s federal bill to vote down the NT law.

Now, as leader of the House of Representatives, Burke is responsible for facilitating another private member’s bill, to overturn the Andrews’ one, coming to a vote.

On Monday, with the introduction of the bill, the federal parliament took a step on the journey towards voluntary assisted dying finally being extended throughout the country. The issue has come a long way since the 1990s when the Northern Territory was the one jurisdiction permitting it – and then only briefly. Now all states have legislation – it is the ACT and the NT that are the outliers.

The current bill, sponsored by Luke Gosling (NT) and Alicia Payne (ACT), goes to the territories’ power to enact such laws – it doesn’t bring them in. That is entirely a matter for their parliaments. But in voting, most federal parliamentarians will be thinking about the substantive issue.

Normally private members bills don’t come to a vote. But the government is ensuring this bill is given time for debate and will be voted on. Everyone who wants to speak will have the opportunity to do so. The House vote is likely this week, although that will depend on the length of the speakers’ list. The Senate vote could then be in the September sitting.

The bill is considered certain to pass the lower house. The numbers are anticipated to be tighter in the Senate but it is still expected to have the support to pass there. The government is giving its side a conscience vote; the opposition (with shadow cabinet discussing the bill on Monday night) is set to do the same.”