Posted on November 4, 2010 by by valerirojas

A ban on the rights of the people of the ACT to make their own laws on voluntary euthanasia was undemocratic and must be overturned by the Federal Parliament, ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope said today.

Mr Stanhope said he has personally written to every Member of Parliament urging them to pass the Restoring Territory Rights (Voluntary Euthanasia Legislation) Bill 2010.

He said while the Legislative Assembly may not necessarily support voluntary euthanasia legislation, it should have the right, on behalf of the people of the ACT, to do so if it chooses.

“The debate at the heart of this Bill, which has been introduced by Senator Bob Brown, is about the rights of the ACT Legislative Assembly to make laws for the peace, order and good government of the community it serves,” Mr Stanhope said.

“The people of the ACT and the Northern Territory, along with their elected representatives, should have the same right as other Australians to debate the issue of voluntary euthanasia, and to legislate for themselves, if they so choose.

Full media release at Chief Minister

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