X-Message-Number: 6398 Date: Thu, 27 Jun 1996 07:56:36 -0700 From: David Brandt-Erichsen <> Subject: Things get murkier in Australia Lynda Cracknell reports the following from Darwin, Australia: The Chief Medical Officer of the Northern Territory, who can issue guidelines under the Medical Act which registered doctors must follow, sent out a letter June 27 to all doctors in the Territory advising against anyone assisting patients to die under the Rights of the Terminally Ill Act when it takes effect Monday July 1, on the basis that the legislation might later be found to be invalid. The Chief Minister was later reported as saying the letter should not have been sent out, and said something like "doctor's may decide to accept the small risk and proceed anyway, on the probability that no action would be taken against them subsequently if the Act is overturned or found to be invalid." Later again a radio report said that the Administrator (similar to Governor) who must approve the regulations (subordinate legislation) had a dilemma because he had received advice from the Northern Territory Government to approve the regulations, but had received contrary advice from the Federal Government (who appoints the Administrator). Northern Territory doctors are thoroughly confused by all this, and there could be a real constitutional crisis looming. <David Brandt-Erichsen> Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=6398