David Pocock (ACT, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

Saying, 'We just want to review,' is a misrepresentation of what she is seeking, when she has introduced a bill as well. I would like her today to also rule out any challenge to voluntary assisted dying laws in the Australian Capital Territory. Territorians fought for 25 years to have the Andrews bill repealed. We now have the opportunity to debate and legislate on voluntary assisted dying. I would like Senator Cash and the federal opposition to rule out trying to again reach into the territory's affairs in the future. It seems like this is a precursor to doing just that—to interfering in our democracy here in the ACT. If the federal opposition would like to have a say on ACT matters, it should focus on supporting its own party in the ACT ahead of the 2024 election. That probably starts with listening to what they want to be able to campaign on and allowing Leader of the Opposition Elizabeth Lee to lead her party without the interference of her federal colleagues.