Select Committee
on Euthanasia
The
Rights of the Terminally Ill Act as been made ineffective by an
amendment made to the Northern Territory (Self-Government) Act 1978
of the Commonwealth.
Schedule
1 - Amendment of the Northern Territory (Self-Government) Act 1978.
(1)
After section 50 Insert:
50A
Laws concerning euthanasia
(1)
Subject to this section the power of the Legislative Assembly conferred
by section 6 in relation to the making of laws does not extend to the making
of laws which permit or have the effect of permitting (whether subject to
conditions or not) the form of intentional killing of another called euthanasia
(which includes mercy killing) or the assisting of a person to terminate
his or her life.
(2)
The Legislative Assembly does have power to make laws with respect to:
(a)
the withdrawal or withholding of medical or surgical measures for prolonging
the life of a patient but not so as to permit the intentional killing
of the patient;
(b)
medical treatment in the provision of palliative care to a dying patient,
but not so as to permit the intentional killing of the patient;
(c)
the appointment of an agent by a patient who is authorised to make decisions
about the withdrawal or withholding of treatment; and
(2)
Application
For
the avoidance of doubt, the enactment of the Legislative Assembly called
the Rights of the Terminally Ill Act 1995 has no force or effect
as a law of the Territory, except as regards the lawfulness or validity
of anything done in accordance therewith prior to the commencement of
this Act.
Contact
Details
Telephone: (08) 8946 1424
Fax: (08) 8941 2437
Email: tableoffice.la@nt.gov.au
