
Australian Capital Territory moves ahead with “Voluntary Assisted Dying”
On 1 December 2022, the Restoring Territory Rights Bill 2022 was passed by Federal Parliament in Australia and amended the Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988 and Northern Territory (Self-Government) Act 1978 to enable the territories to legalise euthanasia.
Following the passage of the bill, in early 2023 the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) government announced its intention to legislate to allow physician assisted ‘voluntary assisted dying’ in the ACT. bit.ly/3zS4i3U
A discussion paper was produced and Information about the process tabled on the ACT government website. bit.ly/3GB84lZ
A public consultation period (between 7 February 2023 to 6 April 2023) was established to be followed by a ‘’listening report’ to be produced mid-2023. A bill for ‘voluntary assisted dying’ is planned to be introduced to the Legislative Assembly in late 2023.
Mary Collier, CEO Right to Life Australia responded to the ACT Government’s consideration of ‘how to approach and regulate access to ‘voluntary assisted dying’ by preparing a submission. We await the production of the ‘listening’ report which no doubt will give the green light to introduction of a euthanasia bill.