The following information is being provided pursuant to Standing Order 194(4) of the Legislative Assembly and under the authority of procedural motion 3.2 passed by LCAC on 30/10/24.
LCAC met again on 23/7/25 and 28/7/25. The Committee has continued to work together cooperatively and constructively in good faith, to progress the Inquiry, and the issue of VAD for Territorians.
On 30/7/25, the LCAC Chair tabled a First Interim Report for the Committee’s Inquiry into VAD in the Legislative Assembly, outlining actions to date and forthcoming plans.
The First Interim Report, Short Consultation Guide (including translated copies), written submissions received to date, and list of locations for forthcoming hearings can be found on the LCAC website: https://parliament.nt.gov.au/committees/list/legal-and-constitutional-affairs-committee/VAD
LCAC will commence Public Hearings on 5/8/25 in Darwin, with witnesses appearing from NT Health, the Australian Medical Association NT, and Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance NT, amongst others.
This week, LCAC will be conducting Committee Meetings and Community Consultations in Ngukurr on 6/8/25 and Borroloola on 7/8/25, speaking with representatives of local organisations, regional councils, and Indigenous corporations, as well as individual residents of these communities.
In each subsequent week of August, LCAC will be conducting Committee Meetings and Community Consultations in locations including Ali Curung, Alice Springs, Ampilatwatja, Jabiru, Gunbalanya, Papunya, and Tennant Creek, subject to community willingness, availability, interest, and resources.
Three locations originally identified for consultations (Maningrida, Santa Teresa, and Wurrumiyanga) have since been excluded, at the request of local parties. Alternative locations are being identified in remote areas asking for additional consultation time, including in the Roper Gulf Region.
LCAC encourages Territorians to keep contributing to the Inquiry, in writing to [email protected], or by phone to its VAD Hotline on (08) 8946 1442. The deadline for written submissions is 15/8/25.
Dr Tanzil Rahman MLA said, “My fellow Committee Members and I are pleased to have tabled our First Interim Report, and to be starting hearings and consultations across the Territory. We remain committed to listening to Territorians, communicating our work, and progressing resolution of VAD in the NT.”