AMA NT urges Northern Territory government to amend assisted dying laws

The Australian Medical Association Northern Territory (AMA NT) is calling on the Country Liberal Party (CLP) government to amend proposed voluntary assisted dying (VAD) legislation. AMA NT President Dr. John Zorbas has identified two specific provisions as problematic: a ‘gag clause’ that prevents doctors from initiating VAD discussions with patients, and a requirement for a 12-month terminal prognosis.

Dr. Zorbas described the gag clause as an ‘unacceptable intrusion into clinical practice’ that undermines the doctor-patient relationship by preventing transparent information sharing. He further characterized the 12-month prognosis requirement as ‘clinically arbitrary and effectively unworkable,’ warning it could exclude patients with unpredictable disease trajectories who are experiencing intolerable suffering.

While the Australian Christian Lobby has defended these provisions as ‘important safeguards,’ other advocates and Territory Labor have called for changes. Attorney-General Marie-Clare Boothby indicated that the government has defended the current clauses but noted that amendments could be considered during a future review of the legislation.