Territorians are invited to have their say on end of life choice, with community consultation underway to develop a Northern Territory framework for Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD).
As part of the consultation phase, Territorians can have their say through an online survey, or during face-to-face community meetings in Darwin, regional and remote centres across the NT.
The opportunity to provide written submissions on VAD has also opened to the public today.
The VAD framework will prioritise safety, ethics, and appropriate safeguards to protect individuals and practitioners.
The first community meeting was held in Katherine last week. Two community meetings will be held in Darwin on 19 October and 1 November, with further information for community meetings in Palmerston, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs being released soon.
In addition, more than 90 people have had their say on VAD through the online survey.
Consultation is being led by an advisory panel, co-chaired by the Hon Vicki O’Halloran AO CVO and Duncan McConnel SC.
The panel will consider all submissions and face-to-face feedback before providing a written report, which will include recommendations, to government by July 2024.
To take part in the online survey please visit Have Your Say here.
To register your attendance for upcoming community meetings and to learn more about Voluntary Assisted Dying please visit this link here.
Please email written submissions to [[email protected]].
Quotes attributed to Chief Minister Natasha Fyles:
“The Territory Government is committed to listening to a wide range of voices and perspectives to shape how we go about end of life choice.
“I encourage all Territorians to have their say on this topic. Any future legislation will be done through intensive and thorough consultation with all Territorians.”
Northern Territory Government
