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Opposition Leader Elizabeth Lee has spoken to the Prime Minister, asking him to let the ACT make laws on voluntary assisted dying. The Liberals say they support the Legislative Assembly being given the power to legislate on euthanasia, while continuing to allow a conscience vote on the issue itself. It marks a departure from the Canberra Liberals’ positions on the topic under former leader Alistair Coe, who did not call on his federal counterparts to restore territory rights. “I have long advocated for the Commonwealth to repeal the Andrews Bill and the Canberra Liberals support the ACT having the same rights as other jurisdictions to debate and legislate on this issue,” Ms Lee said. “The ACT Legislative Assembly is democratically elected by the people of Canberra that should have the right to legislate on this matter on behalf of Canberrans; just as we have the right to legislate on a whole host of other matters dealt with by state and local governments across Australia. Ms Lee said she recently spoke to Mr Morrison in person about the issue, however she did not disclose the substance or outcome of the discussion. “I have raised this matter with the Prime Minister,” she said. “Mr Barr and Labor need to do their part in lobbying the seven Labor Senators who voted against this just two years ago.” It comes after the Northern Territory and the ACT stepped up their campaign to restore their rights to legalise euthanasia, accusing the federal government of breaching international laws. The territories have had no ability to make legislation on voluntary assisted dying since the so-called Andrews Bill passed in 1997, in response to the Northern Territory passing laws to allow it in 1995. A bid to restore territory rights was voted down in 2018, with ACT Senator Zed Seselja among the members who voted against it. Human Rights Minister Tara Cheyne welcomed Ms Lee’s position, but called on her to do more to advocate on the issue. “For someone who is prolific on social media … there’s not much there from her, in fact I don’t think there’s anything from her about it,” she said. “It’s good to hear she has spoken to the PM but I’m curious how that conversation went and whether the Opposition Leader is committed to continuing to follow that up.” Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
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Opposition Leader Elizabeth Lee has spoken to the Prime Minister, asking him to let the ACT make laws on voluntary assisted dying.
The Liberals say they support the Legislative Assembly being given the power to legislate on euthanasia, while continuing to allow a conscience vote on the issue itself.
It marks a departure from the Canberra Liberals’ positions on the topic under former leader Alistair Coe, who did not call on his federal counterparts to restore territory rights.
“I have long advocated for the Commonwealth to repeal the Andrews Bill and the Canberra Liberals support the ACT having the same rights as other jurisdictions to debate and legislate on this issue,” Ms Lee said.
Liberal Leader Elizabeth Lee. Picture: Sitthixay Ditthavong
“The ACT Legislative Assembly is democratically elected by the people of Canberra that should have the right to legislate on this matter on behalf of Canberrans; just as we have the right to legislate on a whole host of other matters dealt with by state and local governments across Australia.
Ms Lee said she recently spoke to Mr Morrison in person about the issue, however she did not disclose the substance or outcome of the discussion.
“I have raised this matter with the Prime Minister,” she said.
“Mr Barr and Labor need to do their part in lobbying the seven Labor Senators who voted against this just two years ago.”
The territories have had no ability to make legislation on voluntary assisted dying since the so-called Andrews Bill passed in 1997, in response to the Northern Territory passing laws to allow it in 1995.
A bid to restore territory rights was voted down in 2018, with ACT Senator Zed Seselja among the members who voted against it.
Human Rights Minister Tara Cheyne welcomed Ms Lee’s position, but called on her to do more to advocate on the issue.
“For someone who is prolific on social media … there’s not much there from her, in fact I don’t think there’s anything from her about it,” she said.
“It’s good to hear she has spoken to the PM but I’m curious how that conversation went and whether the Opposition Leader is committed to continuing to follow that up.”
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
