RACP submission to the Northern Territory Voluntary Assisted Dying Inquiry
Date published:
21 Oct 2025
Our submission to the Northern Territory (NT) Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) Inquiry highlights the importance of strong safeguards, culturally safe care, and proper consultation with medical experts and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Our members report inadequate access to palliative medicine physicians in the NT, most acutely in more regional and remote places, and concerns about the need to keep palliative care services sustainable and distinct from any potential VAD services that may be commenced if the Territory were to legalise it.
Our submission emphasises that any VAD legislation must ensure clear separation from palliative care, protect conscientious objection, prevent coercion, and include adequate training, monitoring, and support for practitioners.