OPINION: It is interesting to hear the usual, generally derogatory comments about Kevin Andrews which have started again since he lost his preselection. Those comments relate to a Bill he put forward to Federal Parliament many years ago to override the NT Rights of the Terminally Ill Act.

One would get the impression that he alone overrode the Bill but as we know, firstly, the Commonwealth Parliament has the right to overturn any Act of the Territory because we govern under their Act and secondly the Bill he introduced would not have passed if the majority of Members in the Parliament had not supported the Bill.

He was not alone in his opposition to the NT Act.

It should also be remembered that the NT Parliament’s Rights of the Terminally Ill Act was passed by one vote, meaning 12 members did not support it.

It shows that while euthanasia seems to have popular support, that is not always reflected in the way our Parliamentarians vote. The popular way is not always the right way and with euthanasia there are serious medical, ethical, practical and legal implications which should be thoroughly examined by every Member of Parliament before a vote is taken.

That is why a Bill is usually decided by a conscience vote and of course if people don’t like how their Member voted they can always vote against them at the next election.

To claim that Kevin Andrews voted against the NT Act based on his religious beliefs shows a narrow view of how difficult issues are dealt with when people are required to make difficult decisions.

Do we condemn people for having an atheistic view or non-religious view when Members holding those views vote? Our justice system has much reliance on Judeo Christian principles such as, you should not kill, steal, bear false witness, etc and non-religious people would surely support those principles.

We do live in a secular society but that doesn’t mean a person who has a religious faith is not also capable of dealing with issues based on reason and wisdom which are values that should be embedded in all of us although sadly populism can override those values.

When the Rights of the Terminally Ill Bill was introduced into the NT Parliament, palliative care was practically non-existent in the NT. Now we have the finest palliative care facilities in Darwin and Alice Springs hospitals, and palliative care in aged care homes, private homes and gradually in the bush.

I don’t think we would have had the debate back then, if we had had proper care facilities for the dying. I always say to people and politicians, visit our palliative care facilities and see the wonderful caring and compassionate people who work with those whose lives are coming to an end.

In 2020, ABC Alice Springs, interviewed Dr Rosalie Shaw OAM from the Alice Springs Palliative Care Facility and discussed some of the misconceptions about palliative care and explained the support it can offer to people with life-limiting illnesses and their families.

“It’s such a privilege to be able to make some difference in people’s lives,” said Dr Shaw. “We think of [palliative care] as a sad time…but it can also be a very precious time seeing families come together. Palliative care is more about listening than talking. It’s about asking the right questions and listening – and in that way is very supportive and helpful.

“We see everyone as a person, not just a patient, and we see that each person has a unique story and a unique history,” Dr Shaw said.

The full interview is on the Palliative Care NT webpage and is certainly worth listening to.

‘In the end’ I support the palliative option.

Gerry Wood is the former independent Member for Nelson and served as the rural electorate’s MLA for 19 years in the Northern Territory Parliament before retiring at the last election.