The push to allow territories the right to legalise euthanasia has foundered in the Senate, with a majority of the chamber voting against the proposal before it reached the committee stage. The proposal appeared doomed when senators Brian Burston and Peter Georgiou reversed their position on the legislation, switching from yes votes to no votes. The bill to allow the Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory to legislate for euthanasia – reversing a ban imposed by the commonwealth in 1997- was shortly before the vote considered to be successful. The bill’s architect, David Leyonhjelm, was confident it would win the 39 votes necessary to pass the Senate, but the push fizzled out.
