Division erupts within NT government as MLAs clash in parliament over VAD
During debate about the Northern Territory government's voluntary assisted dying bill in parliament, backbencher Tanzil Rahman has accused his colleagues of being inauthentic and of deliberately mischaracterising the debate.
A clash erupted within the Northern Territory government during a debate on voluntary assisted dying legislation. Deputy Chief Minister Gerard Maley criticized backbencher Tanzil Rahman for comments about Attorney-General Marie-Clare Boothby. Rahman plans to introduce amendments to the VAD bill, which will be decided on a conscience vote on Thursday.
Division has arisen within the NT government, with politicians clashing over the long-awaited VAD legislation. Rahman accused his colleagues of being inauthentic and mischaracterizing the VAD debate, calling the CLP's proposed bill "a very narrow VAD act." The first-term MLA, who chaired a parliamentary inquiry into VAD, singled out Boothby, who introduced the bill, defending its safeguards, including a clause restricting VAD access to patients with 12 months or less to live.
Another amendment would prevent care facilities from denying information about VAD to residents. Rahman argued that the 12-month prognosis period is essential, as terminality is subjective. Deputy Chief Minister Gerard Maley defended the 12-month timeframe and criticized Rahman's amendments, stating they replace subjective sentences with other subjective ones.
The amendments are unlikely to pass during the Thursday conscience vote, with only six MLAs expressing support for changes.
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