Euthanasia has been legalized in Australia's Northern Territory, the last jurisdiction in the country to do so.

Key Takeaways:

• The Northern Territory was the first jurisdiction in the world to legalize "voluntary assisted dying" (VAD) in 1995.

• The federal government voted to overturn that law in 1997, and banned territories from discussing the issue.

• Those bans were lifted in 2022.

• The Northern Territory has now legalized VAD as well, the last in Australia to do so.

The Backstory:

In 1995, the Northern Territory became the first jurisdiction in the world to legalize assisted suicide. Introduced by by Marshall Perron, then-Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, as a private member's bill, it passed after a 12-hour debate in a 15-10 vote. The law took effect on July 1, 1996, but it wouldn't last long.

Under the legislation, those suffering pain or suffering from a terminal illness could undergo assisted suicide. At least three doctors had to sign off on the decision, and there was a nine-day waiting period. Under the law, four people ended their lives with the help of the so-called "Dr. Death," Philip Nitschke.

Nitschke created a system in which he would insert an IV with fatal drugs ready to go. They would automatically be dispensed after the patient answered a series of questions on a laptop computer, though under the legislation, it was legal for him to actively kill them himself. As reported by the New York Times:

''Are you aware that if you go ahead to the last screen and press the 'yes' button, you will be given a lethal dose of medicine and die?'' the computer asked in large, bold letters, displaying the options ''Yes'' and ''No.''"

Mr. Dent pressed the key for ''yes'' and moved to the second screen, which reads, ''Are you certain you understand that if you proceed and press the 'yes' button on the next screen, you will die?''

Mr. Dent hit the key again and faced the final message: ''In 15 seconds you will be given a lethal injection.'' He pressed the key for ''Yes'' a final time, waited as the computer continued to buzz, and in 15 seconds a rhythmic pumping sound emerged from the suitcase.

Moments later, the screen went black except for one word: ''Exit.''

In 1997, the federal government overturned the law through the Euthanasia Laws Act 1997, which had been introduced as a private members bill by Mark Andrews. It banned the Northern Territory and Capital Territory from entering legislation that permitted assisted suicide or euthanasia. That legislation remained in effect until 2022, when it was repealed.

The Details:

Every other state and territory in Australia has since legalized assisted suicide and euthanasia. And in January, Northern Territory Attorney-General Marie-Clare Boothby announced that legislators would seek to legalize VAD again by the end of the year.

“Legislating for the rights of the terminally ill is one of the most sensitive and complex reforms any government can undertake,” Boothby said in a statement. “We’re taking the time to get this right. We’re working carefully and consultatively — not rushing it — and we are committed to getting the balance right.”

As Boothby promised, a bill legalizing VAD has passed the Northern Territory parliament. Anyone over the age of 18 and diagnosed with an illness that causes "intolerable suffering" and is expected to cause death within 12 months is eligible, with two doctors required to sign off on the request. However, there are protectors in place for conscientious objectors and doctors are barred from initiating conversations about VAD with their patients, which was opposed by some legislators, but applauded by indigenous and Aboriginal legislators and advocates. Ultimately, the bill was able to pass despite infighting.

"It's a very surreal moment," Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said of passing the legislation. "Tonight we have righted the greatest wrong in delivering this important reform for Territorians."

Why It Matters:

Despite Finocchiaro's joy at the law's passage, as Live Action News previously reported, it is not something to celebrate:

Numbers released last month out of New South Wales showed that an average of 20 people per week are dying via euthanasia. A report out of Queensland last fall showed a 35 percent increase in euthanasia deaths, yet the report authors were only concerned that not enough doctors are willing to commit these deaths. Over a quarter of those who died were not receiving palliative care at the time of death.

In Victoria, lawmakers are currently seeking to loosen safeguards surrounding their VAD laws, as leaders there continue to push for more deaths. When euthanasia was being considered in the Australian Capital Territory, supporters there advocated for it to be made available to children, claiming that it was a "human rights principle" that minors should be able to access government-sanctioned suicide.

The Bottom Line:

Every death by assisted suicide and euthanasia is an act of eugenics under the guise of freedom and compassion. No one should be told they are better off dead or led to believe they are unworthy of life or a burden to their loved ones. Suicide is suicide and should not be glorified in any form.