Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) advocates believe the best chance for the Northern Territory to restore VAD rights now lies with a private members bill.

The NT has the power to make its own laws, following the success of the Restoring Territory Rights Bill.

But while the new Country Liberal Party Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said in opposition that she supported VAD, she has now told ABC Radio in Darwin her government has “other priorities”.

As NT Opposition Leader, Finocchiaro demanded that Labor stand up against laws “that blockade our right to decide”, calling on then-Chief Minister Michael Gunner to raise the issue with then-PM Scott Morrison.

“These laws deny us the same rights as the states to make decisions on the issues crucial to Territorians,” she said back then.

Territorians and VAD advocates are looking to hold her to that statement.

The right to die was strongly recommended by the recently released NT VAD Expert Advisory Panel Report. National advocacy networks have also amassed formidable advocacy and political support.

That support will swing behind incoming NT Greens Member of the Legislative Assembly Kat McNamara, if she tables a private member’s bill.

Read more … [Source Greenleft]