Greens introduce territories euthanasia bill

Greens leader Bob Brown says he is confident Federal Parliament will pass a bill he is introducing in the Senate today to give the territories the right to make euthanasia laws.

Senator Brown has called on the major parties to allow a conscience vote but he says it is not yet clear if that will happen.

The bill would not restore the original Northern Territory euthanasia law but instead give the NT and ACT the power to make new legislation if they choose.

Senator Brown is calling for the major parties to allow a conscience vote.

"I think Kevin Rudd may be inclined that way but that's not clear yet and we have a new leader of the Opposition, Malcolm Turnbull so I'll be approaching [him], so that we have the legislation hopefully pass the Senate and then go to the House of Representatives," he said.

Senator Brown says that would restore the territories' democracy.

"It's constitutionally sound, it's democratically right, and it may have very very profound positive social outcomes," he said.

"I feel confident that this will get through the Senate and am very hopeful it will also get through the House of Representatives before Christmas."

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