A Greens' euthanasia bill, to allow the Northern Territory and ACT governments to legalise euthanasia, will be debated in the Senate tomorrow.
ABC reports that the bill would re-instate powers to the territories to make the laws - which were overturned in 1997 by the then-Federal Parliament.
Greens leader Bob Brown says he hopes a vote will be taken before the end of the parliamentary year, but if it doesn't, then "certainly" in the first half of 2011.
"It ought to get to a vote before Christmas, but that really depends on the good offices of the Government and the Opposition," he said.
AAP reports that a meeting of the coalition joint parties in Canberra on Tuesday agreed with a shadow cabinet recommendation that allows Liberal and Nationals MPs and senators a conscience vote on the issue.
Labor also will allow its members a free vote.
FULL STORY
Euthanasia bill to be debated this week (ABC)
Coalition conscience vote allowed (SBS/AAP)
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