SAVES is not affiliated with Exit International / Dr Philip Nitschke and opposes the public availability of a 'peaceful pill'.

The Commonwealth Solicitor General David Bennett QC has advised the Northern Territory Government that the Euthanasia Laws Act 1997 (also known as the Andrews Act) prevents the NT Legislative Assembly passing legislation to protect doctors where the administration of medication to relieve suffering may also shorten life.

The Euthanasia Laws Act has a legal effect beyond that intended by Kevin Andrews MHR in overturning the NT Rights of the Terminally Ill Act. In his closing speech at the time, Kevin Andrews urged the NT to adopt legislation similar to the SA Consent to Medical Treatment and Palliative Care Act, which offers legal protection to doctors.

However, in seeking legal opinion to facilitate such legislation, the NT Government was advised that they were unable to proceed, as the Euthanasia Laws Act prohibits it. The same constraints also apply within the ACT. It is untenable that people living in the Territories should be so disadvantaged.

To remedy this inequitable situation it is necessary for the Federal Parliament to amend or repeal the act to allow passage of appropriate legislation. The matter must be raised on the floor of parliament, or by a Private Members Bill.

This is a separate issue to that of voluntary euthanasia. What is sought is the removal of unintentional constraints, applying in both the NT and ACT, which undoubtedly have a deleterious effect on both patients and their doctors.

The Northern Territory Chief Minister Denis Burke supports the removal of any obstacle to legislation required to best meet the needs of the terminally ill.