Bid to lift ban on euthanasia

THE ban on the ACT and Northern Territory legalising assisted suicide could be lifted after a looming Senate showdown on euthanasia.

Liberal Democrats senator David Leyonhjelm is pushing for his private Bill repealing the 1997 ban on territories controlling euthanasia laws to be debated when Parliament resumes after the winter break in August.

He said he had a personal guarantee from Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull the Liberal Party would be allowed a free vote on the Bill, which the Government will allow to proceed to the Lower House.