Northern Territory Voluntary Euthanasia Society | Community organisation

Northern Territory Voluntary Euthanasia Society

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24.01.2022 Dr Roger Hunt is a pioneer of palliative care medicine in South Australia and a long-time proponent of voluntary assisted dying. "If I was in their situation, I would want a choice, too."

24.01.2022 It's hard to believe that this week (25 May) marks the 25th anniversary of the passing of the Northern Territory's Voluntary Assisted Dying legislation (ROTI Act). The first such law in the world, this most compassionate piece of legislation became available for use just over a year later. At the time, my husband Bob was dying of prostate cancer and he welcomed the news of a possible gentle way out; he had fought the disease for nearly four years but nothing had stopped it. ... By September 1996, the decision had been made; Bob would become the first person to use the legislation. Bob explained why in his last letter: "I have no wish for further experimentation by the Palliative Care people in their efforts to control my pain. My current program involves taking 30 tablets a day! "For months I have been on a roller-coaster of pain made worse by the unwanted side-effects of the drugs." I didn’t want him to die but he was going to, regardless of what anybody wanted. On 22 September, Dr Philip Nitschke set up the IV line and the laptop needed to administer the life-ending medication. Bob lay in his bed on the verandah; I sat beside him and held his hand while he followed the instructions on the screen. The computer activated the pump, the drugs entered his bloodstream and he fell asleep, never to waken again. All the pain in his face disappeared; he looked so peaceful and I knew he had made the right decision. The NT law was nullified a year later by an Act of the Australian parliament. NTVES is the only such society to be incorporated AFTER legislation had been passed and now cannot even ask for legislation. As the rest of Australia slowly enacts their laws, we can only watch. It's time for the people of the Northern Territory and the ACT to regain their right to debate and pass laws on this most important issue. You can read Bob's last letter here https://exitinternational.net/story/bob-dent/

23.01.2022 NT MP Luke Gosling backs Territories' right to decide on Voluntary Assisted Dying It’s ridiculous that we’re still being forced to explain why people living in the ACT and the Northern Territory are worthy of having equal rights to other Australians. http://ow.ly/ak6A50EUplF

23.01.2022 Congratulations to Queensland for drafting such a comprehensive and compassionate Assisted Dying bill Now, what about the Territories? http://ow.ly/YmCA50EPZPO

22.01.2022 Territorians deserve to have the same rights as all other Australians, including the right to decide for themselves on Voluntary Assisted Dying.

21.01.2022 In every community there are divergent views on a range of issues. We should never make assumptions Indigenous leaders across Australia, too, have indicated support for safe and compassionate voluntary assisted dying laws. https://www.yesforcompassion.org.nz/polls-show-majority-su/

21.01.2022 This is a tactic we see regularly from anti-VAD groups. Oppose assisted dying laws if you want, but be open about your reasons for doing so. https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/nz_assisted_dying_book

20.01.2022 Congratulations to Mike Gaffney MLC for this fourth, and let's hope final, attempt to pass a Voluntary Assisted Dying law in Tasmania. 85% of Australians are behind you! Time for all parliaments in every state and territory to show similar courage.

15.01.2022 This week is the anniversary of my husband Bob's death. On Sunday 22 September 1996, Bob Dent became the first person in the world to have a legally endorsed voluntary assisted death. He would be appalled to know that six months later the Federal Government overturned the Rights of the Terminally Ill Act by amending the Territories Act. The change makes those who choose to live in the territories second-class citizens whose parliaments are unable to pass VAD laws. Although ...the parliaments of Victoria and Western Australia have now passed VAD laws, the Australian Health Minister has declared that the ACT and NT will never be allowed to do so even if all the States pass such legislation. In memory of Bob, we’ll keep fighting - Judy Dent

15.01.2022 "We're talking about the principle of Territorians having the same democratic rights as every other Australian." In this story from June 2019, the indefatigable Marshall Perron sets out why the NT and the ACT must be allowed to debate and pass laws on voluntary assisted dying. As Territorians we must keep having conversations but about what a 'good' death means for us.

14.01.2022 After the Australian Parliament removed the Northern Territory's right to legislate for itself on assisted dying, perhaps one of the best ways to restore those rights is statehood? Chief Minister Michael Gunner told the NT News he wants Territorians to have more self-determination. For me, from the moment Victoria passed that legislation, it raised again the importance of Territorians being able to make their own decisions."

12.01.2022 Fingers crossed for Queensland this week Let's hope compassion and common sense prevail and the government acts quickly on the recommendations of the parliamentary report.

08.01.2022 I need Territorians to help me here as well. Get on the phone or write an email to politicians in Canberra and tell them we want to decide this issue for ourselves. People power can make the difference. Full story in comments below

08.01.2022 Congratulations to Andrew Denton on his nomination. So well deserved. There really seems to be a shift in awareness on assisted dying in Australia. When will the NT and ACT be given back the right to decide for themselves? https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/andrew_denton_nominate

06.01.2022 This week marks the anniversary of the passing of the Northern Territory's Rights of the Terminally Ill Act. The law, passed on 25 May 1995 made the NT the first jurisdiction in the world to legislate Voluntary Assisted Dying. Only four people were able to use the law after it took effect on 1 July 1996 and before it was overturned by a Private Member’s Bill passed by the Federal Parliament with support from both sides of politics. That intervention prohibited the NT and ACT... from ever debating VAD again. Territorians are sick and tired of being treated like second-class citizens in this and other issues. Federal parliament must restore our right to debate and enact VAD laws for ourselves

03.01.2022 This week marks one year since dying Victorians were allowed to access voluntary assisted dying. When will Territorians be given the same rights? "After all the argument, hand-wringing and dire predictions, grannies are not being bumped off left, right and centre, nursing homes are not being emptied, nor are confused older people being coerced into signing on in droves. "What has happened is that a small number of people have had the huge relief of being provided with an option previously denied them."

02.01.2022 The NT News ran a story about the anniversary of Bob's death, with a quote from Chief Minister Michael Gunner: It should be up to Territorians to have a say about issues that affect their lives not Canberra politicians. Exactly. If anyone in the NT is interested in getting more involved with NTVES to get the issue of assisted dying firmly back on the agenda, message me here or email to [email protected]... https://www.ntnews.com.au//1d8136597f8aea83fa5abfc648bca250

02.01.2022 The experience of voluntary assisted dying in Victoria after one year... and an interesting take from one palliative care expert on the possible reason for the higher-than-expected demand: "... we have a large number of people dying in Victoria whose condition is 'causing suffering to the person that cannot be relieved in a manner that the person considers tolerable', which is the eligibility criteria for voluntary assisted dying." There is no reason to believe the NT is any... different. All the more reason for the federal parliament to give back to NT residents the right to pass their own laws on assisted dying https://www1.racgp.org.au//voluntary-assisted-dying-report See more

02.01.2022 We have always relied on grass roots organisations to prosecute the case for social justice reform. These are voices that cannot be silenced or ignored. Thank you @etuqldnt for you support and leadership The Northern Territory supports every effort to pass these laws in Queensland.

02.01.2022 South Australia's lower house voted 33-5 to send the Voluntary Assisted dying bill to its third and final reading on 9 June! Fingers and everything else crossed that after 17 attempts, South Australians will finally have a more compassionate end of life choice https://fb.watch/5L399XBmS5/

01.01.2022 NT and federal politicians take note! Northern Territory seniors are strongly in favour of assisted dying laws, according to a COTA NT election submission. https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/nt_seniors_back_assist