Former Committees - Select Committee on Euthanasia

Transcripts and Submissions | Parliamentary Debate

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 50Insert:

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
Mr Russell Keith
Clerk Assistant, Committees
Telephone: (08) 8946 1429
Fax: (08) 8946 1420
Email: russell.keith@nt.gov.au

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