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Today is a momentous day for the ACT. The ACT Government welcomes the news that today the House of Representatives in the Australian Parliament has formally and decisively voted to Restore Territory Rights, 99 to 37. We are in the best position we have ever been to have our rights restored.

The ‘Restoring Territory Rights Bill 2022′ seeks to repeal of the current ban on the Territories’ right to debate and make laws in regard to voluntary assisted dying.

“The ACT community and Legislative Assembly are ready and capable of having a mature and respectful discussion about voluntary assisted dying,” said ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr.

“Commonwealth legislation currently denies the residents of the ACT and the Northern Territory this right. The legislative bar on the Territories is particularly absurd given that all States in have now legislated in this area.

“Australia’s federalism works best when all jurisdictions are treated fairly and equally. With the residents and representatives of the Territories not able to debate important public policy matters, the current arrangements are neither fair nor equal.

“The decisive vote in the House of Representatives sends a strong signal to the Senate.”

Minister for Human Rights, Tara Cheyne thanked Luke Gosling MP and Alicia Payne MP for introducing the Private Members Bill and the leadership that the Federal Government has shown in prioritising it for debate and a vote – something the previous Coalition Government repeatedly failed to do.

“This is an historic day for the Australian Capital Territory, for our citizens and for democratic rights.

“Despite many efforts, no attempt to restore Territory rights has ever passed a federal house of parliament in the last 25 years.

“It was an honour for Andrew Barr ACT Chief Minister and I to support our Labor colleagues on Monday as they introduced this Bill and I thank members from across federal parliament for their support today.

We look forward to a vote in the Australian Senate to finally resolve this injustice. In the weeks ahead the Chief Minster and I, along with our ACT and NT federal colleagues, will be actively engaging members of the Australian Senate in the hope that broad support will prevail and the people of the ACT and NT will finally have the equal democratic rights enjoyed by all Australians.”