The Northern Territory's chief minister says he's keen for the NT to once again be able to introduce laws to legalise voluntary euthanasia.
A bill will come before the federal senate on Tuesday seeking to restore the rights of Australia's territories to make such legislative decisions, which were stripped by the Howard government in 1997 after the NT became the first Australian jurisdiction to legalise euthanasia.
Chief Minister Adam Giles says the NT should be able to create its own legislation.
"If that allowance was made I'd be very happy and very keen to see euthanasia brought back to the NT," he told reporters.
Opposition Leader Michael Gunner says the matter is one of territory rights, and if his party wins the August 27 election he would hold a conscience vote on the matter.
"I'd be very happy to have a formal consultation process to make sure a very sensitive issue is handled well in the community," he said.
Senator Nova Peris said she hoped the bill would have widespread support in the chamber.
"While not afforded the same legislative rights in the constitution, the NT should be able to make substantial social decisions without the interference of Canberra politicians," she said in a statement on Monday.
She said the legislation wouldn't compel the legalisation of voluntary euthanasia, but would give the NT and the ACT the ability to do so if they chose.
