Go Gentle Australia welcomes the passage of the Northern Territory\u2019s Rights of the Terminally Ill Bill 2026 as an historic moment that restores end-of-life choice to Territorians after a three-decade fight.<\/p>\n
The Northern Territory was the first jurisdiction in the world to introduce voluntary assisted dying (VAD) legislation in 1995, before the Commonwealth Parliament controversially overturned the law in 1997 and prevented the territories from legislating on\u00a0VAD for 25 years.<\/p>\n
Go Gentle’s CEO Dr Linda Swan said the vote marks the end of an extraordinary chapter in Australia\u2019s history.<\/p>\n
“With the passage of this legislation, the Northern Territory joins the rest of the country in legalising end of life choice.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is an historic moment for the Territory and for the country, and the culmination of a decades-long fight for democratic choice.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe celebrate this achievement but also remember the many dying Territorians who suffered needlessly because they were denied this choice for so long.\u201d<\/p>\n
An imperfect law<\/p>\n
The debate, whose locked-in numbers on every amendment belied claim of a \u2018conscience vote\u2019, has resulted in a law that many Territorians will likely find difficult to access.<\/p>\n
Amendments to remove two elements \u2013 the \u2018gag clause\u2019 that prevents doctors from initiating discussions about VAD, and a 12-month prognosis requirement \u2013 failed to pass despite both having been rejected by the government\u2019s own parliamentary committee.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Similar efforts to ensure institutions do not obstruct dying people from accessing information about VAD information or seeing VAD practitioners were also defeated.<\/p>\n
Go Gentle\u2019s founding director Andrew Denton, who was in parliament’s public gallery watching the debate, said he was disappointed amendments designed to improve the legislation were voted down.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople who want VAD should not face barriers to accessing their lawful choice and doctors should not be gagged from offering their patients information about all treatment options.<\/p>\n
“Unfortunately, experience shows that this law will need to be revisited and repaired in the years ahead.\u00a0But, right now, today is a day to celebrate what\u00a0Territorians have finally regained.<\/p>\n
“The work to make sure the law operates fairly and compassionately now lies ahead. Let\u2019s hope the NT government shows genuine commitment to the task.\u201d<\/p>\n