JOLENE LAVERTY, HOST: The federal government has fast tracked its Territory Rights bill, which means the ACT and the Northern Territory parliaments could soon have the power to debate their own bills regarding assisted dying. Luke Gosling is the Member for Solomon and the MP who introduced the bill to the House this time. Good morning, Mr. Gosling. What will the Territory rights be able to decide?
LUKE GOSLING, MEMBER FOR SOLOMON: Morning, Jo. The Territory Rights Bill has been extensively discussed during this process of debate. It will allow the Territory to make its own laws with particular reference to the assisted dying legislation, that obviously most Territorians would be aware of. But if you're new to the Territory, about 25 years ago we were stopped in the Territory by the Commonwealth for making our laws in relation to euthanasia. But there's been a lot of movement in that space since that time in that the territories will be the last jurisdictions to be able to have that debate and to legislate after consultation, if that is indeed what the Territory Parliament does. And that will be, I guess, the closing of a chapter in relation to our inferior place in the Commonwealth when it comes to making those laws.
LAVERTY: And it could be, as I said, much sooner than expected. When is this likely to go ahead?
GOSLING: From my point of view, it's later than expected, but we've been trying to get it through as quickly as we can. And I'm really grateful for the support of the Prime Minister who had made it clear that restoring the rights of territories was a priority to him and our Government. We're coming good on that promise in that we have got it through the House of Representatives. Even though it was a conscience vote, there was a strong feeling, regardless of reservations, that some people, including myself, had around voluntary assisted dying, that we should have the right in the Northern Territory Parliament to decide those issues. So it's now in the Senate. There'll be more debate this week with a view to a vote and obviously passing of that legislation probably next week.
LAVERTY: Okay, so as early as next week. And then once that passes— I guess you're expecting it to pass, are you?
GOSLING: Yeah, really hopeful, Jo. I think we've been able to convince the majority of senators that we deserve to have our own rights and it's not up to someone from New South Wales, Victoria or anywhere else to decide these issues. They’re for Territorians to decide. So I'm hopeful. I'm unsure of the way that Senator Jacinta Price is voting, I won't speak for her, but it would be good to know that she's backing the Territory and that we have the support of the majority of Senators.
LAVERTY: If it passes, How long will it be before voluntary assisted dying is offered in the Northern Territory?
GOSLING: They're all decisions for the Northern Territory Government and the consultation process around that issue. My job, and the job of Marion Scrymgour and also Senator Malandirri McCarthy has been to fight for our right to be able to debate that issue and legislate if that's what is found to be the will of Territorians.
LAVERTY: Lovely to speak with you.
GOSLING: Thank you very much.
