I am writing to ask you to oppose efforts to introduce euthanasia in the NT and the ACT. The NT has the highest Indigenous population. This is a compelling reason why assisted suicide should not be considered in the NT, and why the Commonwealth Government should listen to the voice of First Nations people, who find euthanasia entirely contrary to their Indigenous culture. Indigenous communities believe euthanasia is abhorrent, frightening and at odds with the way they deal with dying culturally. There are also many documented cases worldwide of wrongful deaths. Please listen to the voices of our First Nations people and vote against allowing euthanasia in the Territories.

I am writing to share my concern about the push to introduce euthanasia in the NT and the ACT. With young Indigenous Australian suicide rates more than twice as high as non-Indigenous Australians, and suicide rates steadily rising for Indigenous males, it is entirely inappropriate for MPs to focus on introducing legislation for assisted suicide. We should be helping people to live, not die. Please reject the bill that would allow euthanasia in the Territories!

I am shocked to hear that MPs Luke Gosling and Alicia Payne want to introduce legislation to allow euthanasia in the NT and ACT – when Indigenous people are against it. Indigenous elders warn that the introduction of euthanasia would weaken ties to their culture and lead to people not seeking out medical help when it’s needed, particularly in remote regions. There are many cultural insensitivities and unaddressed fears being articulated by First Nations people about the introduction of euthanasia, but it would appear that these concerns are either not being heard, or they are being overlooked and underestimated. Please vote against this bill and instead, listen to the voices of our First Nations people.