Australian Greens move to legalize euthanasia
CANBERRA, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- One of the Australian Greens' first parliamentary priorities will be to try to overturn laws which stop the territories from legislating around euthanasia, Greens Leader said on Sunday.
Greens leader Bob Brown said that after ensuring there was more time to debate private member's bills in the new parliament, he would turn his attention to euthanasia laws, adding that wants to overturn laws that stop the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and Northern Territory from legislating on the controversial issue.
"That was a taking away of the democratic rights of the people of the two territories," Senator Brown told Network Ten on Sunday.
"This won't bring in euthanasia but it will restore the rights of the territorians to be able to legislate for euthanasia the same as everybody in the states."
Senator Brown's move was less about discussing the right to die and more about instigating a "full on" debate about territory rights.
A conscience vote on restoring the territories' right to legislate on euthanasia was an option, he added, but that would be fleshed out during upcoming talks with the major parties.
"My bill would restore the right of territory parliaments to pass laws that would allow terminally ill people to choose a death with dignity," Senator Brown later said in a statement.
"This right was taken away under the Howard government.
"While this bill is about territory rights, a huge majority of Australians support voluntary euthanasia and it is time for federal parliament to openly debate the issue."
