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http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/05/11/2895758.htm

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Australia: Northern Territory Government wants power to legislate euthanasia [ABC News, Apr. 14, 2010]
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/04/14/2216566.htm

The Northern Territory Government says it would like the power to legislate on euthanasia again, but is not sure if it would allow the original law to be revived. A representative from the Chief Minister's office, Tim Joyce, has addressed a Senate Committee public hearing in Darwin today. He says the Government would welcome the ability to legislate on euthanasia again. But he says if granted that power, the original law allowing euthanasia would not be automatically restored, and would be subject to scrutiny by the Legislative Assembly.

The Senate Committee is examining a proposal by Greens leader Bob Brown to restore the power of the NT and the ACT to legislate on euthanasia.

Australia: Rod Mackenzie: Dying with dignity deserves better [The Geelong Advertiser]
http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2010/05/12/172681_opinion.html
The conclusion of a letter from Rod Mackenzie, OAM, a patron of Dying With Dignity Victoria:

Properly conducted public opinion surveys have consistently over the last 30 years indicated that 75 to 85 per cent of Victorians want the law changed to allow them the choice of being able to die with dignity. A recent survey of carried out at the Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney has shown well over 50 per cent of terminally-ill cancer patients suffer unrelieved pain. This is coupled with the suffering of loss of dignity which for many is worse than the pain. So while hundreds of Victorians each year are forced to undergo this unnecessary suffering, Rob Hulls does nothing.

Washington State and Oregon State in the US have introduced legislation to allow medical-assisted dying for those who choose. There has been no great influx of patients using the legislation as the opponents to the law predicted. In fact, in The Netherlands, where such laws have been enacted for eight years or more. there has not been any rise in the number of patients taking advantage of the right to die with dignity.

Why can't the Victorian Government, with 85 per cent support of the public and with the knowledge that other countries have succeeded in formulating such humane and badly needed legislation, do the same so that we have a personal choice to die with dignity.

Australia: Euthanasia is a rational and humane cause [On Line Opinion]
http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=10407
David Swanton is a Canberra-based ethicist and scientist (see www.ethicalrights.com). He is also ACT Chapter Coordinator for Exit International. Swanton introduces his OpEd:

Euthanasia is an issue that divides societies, although it enjoys 80 per cent popular support in Australia and Britain. The issue, however, should be clear. If individuals have the right to their own lives, then euthanasia should be legalised.

The term "voluntary euthanasia" is often used by the state-based Voluntary Euthanasia and Dying with Dignity Associations around Australia and emphasises the voluntary nature of euthanasia. Another definition defines euthanasia as a deliberate act intended to cause the death of the patient, at that patient's request, for what he or she sees as being in his/her best interests, and clearly euthanasia's voluntary nature is implicit in this definition.

Regardless of how euthanasia is defined, most of the opposition to euthanasia comes from people who have religious motives and imply that euthanasia is not voluntary, that people would be coerced into a decision. It is precisely the voluntary nature of euthanasia that makes it ethically right.

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