The Northern Territory Voluntary Assisted Dying inquiry (NT VAD) closed on August 29, after a two week extension.
At time of writing, the had received 369 submissions, ranging from individual’s phone submissions through to detailed reports from leading advocacy organisations, including .
They show how important VAD as an end-of-life care option is to Territorians (79% support) and people across the country (86% support).
While some church organisations and individuals expressed objections on religious grounds, the submission by provided data showing 76% Catholic and 81% Anglican support.
A submission from ,the architect of Australia’s world-first , reflects a widespread frustration that VAD has still not been re-legislated in the NT.
The NT Voluntary Euthanasia Society agrees, affirming the legal and humanitarian basis of VAD law and urging the restoration of VAD. It has campaigned for its return for decades, alongside the . Both are members of the NT VAD Working Group, which is chaired by Independent member for Johnston Justine Davis, who moved the original motion to progress VAD in the NT Legislative Assembly on May 13.
Key health sectors made supportive submissions, including the ,,the , and NT Health.
submission, dated August 29, said: “NT Health looks forward to supporting a safe and accessible VAD service and will continue to provide subject matter expertise during the legislation drafting process.”
NT Health, a key stakeholder in the , also recommended improvements to that report’s original recommendations, including removing the “gag clause” preventing medical practitioners from discussing VAD with patients.
“There should be no restriction on health practitioners introducing the subject of VAD services to patients during discussion about treatment options for end-of-life care,” NT Health said, provided all available options were provided, including palliative care. It added that formal VAD assessments would still have to be done by a doctor.
The July states its final report is due to go back to the NT Attorney General on September 30. Advocates have written to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee seeking assurances that despite the two-week extension on submissions, the report will still be released at that time, or before the three remaining weeks of parliament.