LEVELLING THE PLAYING FIELD FOR THE TERRITORIES IN AUSTRALIA

A rarely passed Private Member's Bill, The Restoring Territory Rights Bill, was introduced in the Australian Federal Parliament in 2022 which aims to restore the rights of self-determination to the people and Parliaments of the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory. Here, Payne and Gosling explain the Bill's impact. The Restoring Territory Rights Bill did not legislate voluntary assisted dying in the Territories. It sought to simply repeal the Andrews Law, thereby restoring the rights of self-determination to the people and Parliaments of the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory. It would allow the people of both territories to debate the matter and decide for themselves. Voluntary assisted dying is an issue with strong views on either side of the discussion and implications for many.