Northern Territory Labor has moved to begin drafting assisted suicide legislation – before the promised consultation process with communities has even taken place.
Nicholas Lay, NT Director of the Australian Christian Lobby says: “Labor’s actions send a clear message to Territorians; they are not interested in consulting the public on assisted suicide laws. They’re also shutting out our remote Aboriginal communities from having a voice in this critical debate – and silencing opposing views in the process”.
While NT Labor initially supported Justine Davis’ original motion advocating for assisted suicide laws, they did not raise any noted opposition when the amended version – calling for further consultation – was passed.
Nicholas Lay says: “It’s been clear since 2023 that NT Labor intends to table legislation on assisted suicide regardless of community sentiment. The 2023 consultation process made that obvious – it was designed to pave the way for legislation, not to genuinely listen to Territorians. The move to sidestep further consultation only reinforces that. It is ironic that the party whose power in the 15th Assembly relies on the support from the bush electorates now appears unwilling to hear from those communities – likely because they already know the bush does not support these laws”.
