X-Message-Number: 6861
Date: Mon, 09 Sep 1996 07:30:13 -0700
From: David Brandt-Erichsen <>
Subject: Australia update

On September 9 a federal parliamentarian introduced a bill into the
Australian House of Representatives to negate the Northern Territory
voluntary euthanasia law.  It originally would have targetted only the
Northern Territory's law, but has reportedly been changed to disallow such
legislation in any of Australia's Territories (but not States).  The three
territories affected are the Northern Territory (NT), the Australian Capital
Territory (ACT) and the Norfolk Island parliament.  It is not yet known when
the bill will be debated, but it is expected to be soon.  It is supported by
Australia's Prime Minister John Howard.  Many people throughout the country,
regardless of how they feel about voluntary euthanasia, are protesting this
action by the federal government as an infringement of the rights of the
Territory to self-government.  [Information reported by Lynda Cracknell,
Darwin, Australia.]


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