X-Message-Number: 6861 Date: Mon, 09 Sep 1996 07:30:13 -0700 From: David Brandt-Erichsen <> Subject: Australia update On September 9 a federal parliamentarian introduced a bill into the Australian House of Representatives to negate the Northern Territory voluntary euthanasia law. It originally would have targetted only the Northern Territory's law, but has reportedly been changed to disallow such legislation in any of Australia's Territories (but not States). The three territories affected are the Northern Territory (NT), the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and the Norfolk Island parliament. It is not yet known when the bill will be debated, but it is expected to be soon. It is supported by Australia's Prime Minister John Howard. Many people throughout the country, regardless of how they feel about voluntary euthanasia, are protesting this action by the federal government as an infringement of the rights of the Territory to self-government. [Information reported by Lynda Cracknell, Darwin, Australia.] Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=6861