Northern Territory Moves Toward New Voluntary Assisted Dying Laws

The Northern Territory government has announced plans to introduce voluntary assisted dying legislation this year, marking a major shift nearly twenty years after the Commonwealth overturned the NT’s pioneering euthanasia laws in 1997.

Attorney General Marie Clare Boothby confirmed that drafting is underway, with the bill expected to reach parliament by mid 2026. She described the process as one of the most sensitive and complex reforms a government can pursue, stressing the importance of careful and thorough work.

The proposed laws will be decided through a conscience vote, allowing members of parliament to cast their votes according to their personal beliefs rather than party lines.

Boothby acknowledged that the issue divides the community. She said the government understands that not everyone will support the reforms and noted that voluntary assisted dying is deeply personal, with people holding strong and varied views.