I feel both relief and apprehension that Voluntarily Assisted  Dying (VAD) Legislation is finally being introduced into the NT Legislative Assembly. 

To me, there is somewhat of an eerie feeling about the reintroduction of a bill  –  now the Rights Of The Terminally Ill Bill (2026) – that, thirty years ago, in 1996, was successfully passed into law in the Northern Territory, coming back in a way that makes us last as we were first.

• My apprehension is based on the fact that there are several steps between the introduction and passing of the bill. It seems to me that nothing is ever guaranteed about legislation of this nature until it is finally enacted into law. When that happens -and notwithstanding operational constraints already signalled- this will finally be a step in the right direction.