Consultation on future Territory euthanasia laws has begun the Fyles Government has said, but with an advisory panel report not due until next July, there will be no legislation presented until the next term of parliament.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said in a statement the voluntary assisted dying laws consultation was being led by an advisory panel, which will consider written submissions, online survey results, and feedback from community meetings, and provide a report, including recommendations, to the government by next July.

She said written submissions opened to the public today, while the first community meeting was held in Katherine last week. Darwin meetings will be held on October 19 and November 1, with meetings to also be held in Palmerston, Tennant Creek, and Alice Springs on yet-to-be specified dates.

In 1995, the NT became the first jurisdiction in the world to legalise euthanasia after a private members’ bill was legislated but was overturned by former Prime Minister John Howard’s coalition government two years later.

Last year, the federal parliament overturned the 25-year-old ban on euthanasia laws in the NT and ACT after the Senate voted to repeal the ban. It was the fourth attempt in almost 15 years to restore the territory’s rights.

Exit International founder and director and former Territorian Philip Nitschke had said he had contacted the NT Government following the decision but was ignored by the Fyles administration.

“It’s surprising, disappointing, and a little bit hard to comprehend,” Mr Nitschke told the ABC.

“What you’re going to see is people that are even feeling that this might be an issue, making plans to leave the Territory and go to a place that they would argue, and I would agree, is more civilised.”

He said the government was “sitting on its hands” and that the idea to leave reform until after the next election was “weak and cowardly”.

The euthanasia framework will prioritise safety, ethics, and appropriate safeguards to protect individuals and practitioners, Ms Fyles said.

“Voluntary assisted dying is a complex issue and one that many people feel passionate about. It can be a sensitive and confronting topic for many people so it is important that any future legislation is done through intensive and thorough consultation with all Territorians,” she said.

The advisory panel is made up of Dr Christine Sanderson, Dr Devaki Monani, Dr Geetanjali Lamba, Dr Kane Vellar, Susan Shearer, and Ursula Raymond, and co-chaired by Duncan McConnel and Vicki O’Halloran

You can partake in the survey by visiting the NT government’s Have Your Say website.

To register for community meetings and to learn more about euthanasia,visit the Department of Chief Minister and Cabinet website.

Written submissions can be emailed to vadinquiry@nt.gov.au.