June 2, 2026 • 11 mins
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Well, we know the Pig Body for Senior Territorians is
urging all Territorians really to get out there and have
their voices heard when it comes to voluntary assisted dying
ahead of an expected parliamentary vote later this year. Now,
joining us in the studio is sou Shira, the CEO
of the Council of the Aging here in the Northern Territory.
(00:21):
Good morning, So.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Good morning Kadan, Good morning Territorians.
Speaker 1 (00:24):
It is lovely to have you in the studio as always. Now,
so what's the latest when it comes to voluntary assisted dying.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
We have heard the Minister for Seniors did mention last
week it looks like August for the legislation to come
in so or go through the Parliament. I wouldn't say coming.
It's going to be obviously voted on you. So we'd
urge all Territorians to talk to the MLA and say, Okay,
you mightn't agree with it, but it is voluntary. That's
the thing we all have to remember and that's what
(00:52):
I like. And don't deny me my choice. If I
am in insufferable pain and I wish to do something
about it, is my choice to do something about it,
not anybody else, Yes, my choice. And that's the difference.
Speaker 1 (01:05):
That's something interesting that I've sort of seen on social
media is people saying, oh, you know, it's going to
mean that this person is you know, dies, or that
this happens or that happens. It's like there's a lot
of hoops that you've got to jump through. But you like,
you have to be dying.
Speaker 2 (01:22):
Yep, have to have a terminal disease and be insufferable pain,
so that, as you said, there's hoops to jump through.
There's certain conditions you have to meet. It's not as
if somebody can go who's depressed, you have to be
over eighteen can go, oh, look I'm not happy. I
think I don't want to be here anymore. That's not
(01:43):
that just doesn't cut that you can't do that, which
is terrific. And I watched the show last night actually
on the on I think it was SBS about dementia.
And that's a long way off though, because when do
you When does a person if they want to put
it in their's personal plan that at this stage, when
I can't feed myself while I'm in nappies, I would
(02:06):
like to be administered VIAD well, normally the person has
to do it themselves.
Speaker 1 (02:12):
So as I said, so it's not that dementia is
not going to be included when.
Speaker 2 (02:16):
This stilling for it, but it's just at the moment
a bridge too far.
Speaker 1 (02:21):
I agree with you, like I sort of think that
there needs to be some other work first. People need
to see the way in which this works. They need
to see how many people are actually accessing it as well,
because I think this myth that there's going to be
hundreds of people that are going to be accessing voluntary
assist and die is just that, like it's a myth.
It's not an easy thing to be able to do it.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
No, it won't be easy to do. And also though
there's palliative care as well, and a lot of people
will choose that and then some might choose And I
feel you have to be awfully brave to say this
time next week, I'm going to say goodbye to all
my loved ones. And that's my choice to actually pick
(03:03):
a time, pick a day, and pick a place awfully brave,
that's my with my personal opinion, and realize that they'll
never see the smiling face of either their grandchild, their children,
or their partner. Again, is amazing really to think that
somebody can do that. And hopefully when this passes in August,
(03:25):
people will have that choice to say I really can't
handle this insufferable pain and there isn't any cure for
me whatsoever. And as we always say, this is my
choice and it's voluntary. That's the two things to remember.
Speaker 1 (03:40):
So so in terms of August being flagged as the date,
so that would be when legislation is introduced. Yes, that correct,
And so then obviously it's going to need to go
through quite a large process to get to the point
where then it comes.
Speaker 2 (03:55):
To a vote exactly.
Speaker 1 (03:56):
But my understanding is that that vote then will be
a conscience all the different Northern Territory parliamentary members exactly.
So you would hope that those members of parliament are
actually that they're going to go out to their community
for feedback. What would you encourage members of the community
to do at this point.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
Go to your MLA anger. I'd like the choice whether
I use it or not, and I've had a lot
of people who have changed their minds saying yes, sir,
it is a choice. I wouldn't use it, but I
think other people should have the choice, and that's the
thing to remember, choice and voluntary, and that i'd urge
all MLAs on behalf of their constituents. And obviously there's
(04:34):
somebody in Alice Springs who doesn't agree with this at all.
That's his opinion. Fine, that's his choice at all. He'll
probably never use it. But I go back to the
really fantastic words of Marshall parent to the actual press club,
don't deny me my choice. And it's a human rights
really to be able to say I would like to
(04:57):
leave this world. It's a basic human right. So don't
discriminate against us up here in the Northern Territory.
Speaker 1 (05:03):
So so obviously as you said there, you know people
can get in contact with their local members if you
feel really passionately about this, I'd encourage you to do so.
It's been something that's been high on the agenda for
the Council of the Aging over recent months and I
know that the well, it's not the only bit of
work that the Council of the Aging has been working on.
(05:24):
In fact, you've always got plenty on the go. The
Senior's Expo is coming up. When's that kicking off?
Speaker 2 (05:29):
That's on the twenty seventh of June again at the
fantastic Marara Netball Stadium, and we hope to have again
over one hundred exhibitors. And we've got the free morning tea,
we've got the barbecue, all the information we've got. CODA
itself has some giveaways as well, like you scratch your back,
you can get a back cratch ot and you can
get a torch and you can get a special hat.
(05:50):
But they're only for CODA members. But there'll be everything
you need to know there. Really, registrations are a little
bit slow at the moment for exhibitors, so hurry along
if you want to be in a program, Yeah, put
your name down and come and exhibit.
Speaker 1 (06:04):
Kind of like what kind of vendors do you usually
have there? I guess if there is somebody listening this
morning that thinks, actually we'd like to have a presen set.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
Well you'd be surprised. As you know, on the thirty
six thousand seniors in the Northern Church who have a
Senior's Card obviously the majority of those probably live in
the Darwin area, so there's a huge loyal market there,
So come and exhibit your product. Just don't think of
age care products. That's not it. They buy houses, they
buy food, they buy clothes.
Speaker 1 (06:30):
And do you know what if if you're a senior
like my mum, she wouldn't like to be called that,
as I'm sure you probably don't like being called that.
You're experienced, trying to think, trying to think of a
different word.
Speaker 2 (06:40):
I agree with you. When I talk to other women
in their fifties and they go, I'm not you are
classified by the federal government fifty and over as a senior.
I don't like that word, And I think, well, use
do you want to use aging? You're lucky to age.
I've lost friends you have you ever made a senior category?
Speaker 1 (07:00):
That's exactly right. But the thing is our sceneior. Well,
certainly lots of grandma's that I know, Bloody loves spending
their money and so it's a target audience exactly.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
And that they do. People forget, you know that the consumers,
and they've got the time and the money a lot
of them to consume whatever that product is. So don't
just assume that they if they only need like age
care products, are there only need information? It's super information,
it's financial information, all those things you know that they.
Speaker 1 (07:33):
Need all really important stuff. I mean, particularly when you
look at the federal government's tax changes that they introduced
us a few weeks ago as well. There will be
seeing is that want some more info on things like.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
That exactly all the changes and now we're super and
everything else. You know, we're There's no way I'll be
able to give that sort of information, but there'll be
experts there. They can actually say, well, okay, I can
help you here with your financial obligations or what you
want and the best value for your money where to
invest it, or to do this or to do that.
(08:04):
So they have to pass a lot of courses and
be members of different financial institutions. So there's all lots
and there's lots of activities as well, because you know,
we've got to keep you've got to keep mobile. If
you don't use it, you'll lose it totally. There will
be tai chi there, There'll be dancing there, all sorts
of ping pong.
Speaker 1 (08:24):
I love it. So it's not the only thing happening.
There's also the World Elder Abuse Forum coming up. What's
that all about? When's it on?
Speaker 2 (08:32):
We have to Unfortunately we get three or four calls
a week on poor people who are experiencing eld abuse
or people who know that somebody is experiencing eld abuse,
and it really is the scourge of our society. And
it's normally unfortunately family members who are doing this to
another family member. And we are the only jurisdiction really
(08:54):
that hasn't got adults safeguarding in we're working on that.
We're the public and the Public Trustee and also Darwin
Community Legal Service, who we refer a lot of people do.
We had one guy come in, a couple of guys
a couple of weeks ago who was actually probably starving
to death. He was in his home, his children were
(09:15):
pinching all his money, all his food, and he didn't
know what to do and he didn't want to report
them because he didn't want to lose his children. So
that's the saddest thing. We hear that a lot, unfortunately.
But with this world elder abuse, we want to highlight
what you can do and if you see it. And
as an example, we have Anne Burgess who's the chair
of the Age Care Council of Elders in Australia. She's
(09:40):
a wonderful and she'll be speaking on how to recognize
and maybe what to do, and you can go to
counseling and different areas as well. And then in Alice
Springs and Tennant Creek we have Kay Patterson who's the
former Anti Discrimination Commissioner and she's also now patron of
Elder Abuse Australia. So we have some fantastic speakers for
(10:00):
those particular ways. But I'd love to not be able
to do this, yeah, but unfortunately we do have to
highlight it, and unfortunately it happens. It's a bit like
domestic violence. It happens behind closed doors lots of times.
Speaker 1 (10:14):
To speak about it.
Speaker 2 (10:14):
We do. We do have to speak about it, but
like if you want to talk to somebody about voluntary
sister dying, and they're not nice subjects. But unfortunately we
have to open the doors and highlight it and put
a spotlight on unlock solutions.
Speaker 1 (10:29):
Absolutely, and so that's why we love having you on
the show because we do have a lot of seniors
that listen to this show, and I think it's really
important that people understand what's going on and that seniors
have a voice. They do have a very strong voice.
In sushi or I'll tell you what, it is always
good to catch up with you.
Speaker 2 (10:48):
It's wonderful to see hear your adultered tones again. I
listened to my office and sometimes, as you know, I go,
I send you an email, a game.
Speaker 1 (10:57):
But we love it. So I know you're a passion
territory and so we love it. Hey, good to catch
up with you as always, and we'll talk to you
no doubt around the Seniors Expo as well.
Speaker 2 (11:06):
Most definitely thanks Cotie, good stuff.
Speaker 1 (11:08):
Thanks Sue,
Well, we know the Pig Body for Senior Territorians is
urging all Territorians really to get out there and have
their voices heard when it comes to voluntary assisted dying
ahead of an expected parliamentary vote later this year. Now,
joining us in the studio is sou Shira, the CEO
of the Council of the Aging here in the Northern Territory.
(00:21):
Good morning, So.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Good morning Kadan, Good morning Territorians.
Speaker 1 (00:24):
It is lovely to have you in the studio as always. Now,
so what's the latest when it comes to voluntary assisted dying.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
We have heard the Minister for Seniors did mention last
week it looks like August for the legislation to come
in so or go through the Parliament. I wouldn't say coming.
It's going to be obviously voted on you. So we'd
urge all Territorians to talk to the MLA and say, Okay,
you mightn't agree with it, but it is voluntary. That's
the thing we all have to remember and that's what
(00:52):
I like. And don't deny me my choice. If I
am in insufferable pain and I wish to do something
about it, is my choice to do something about it,
not anybody else, Yes, my choice. And that's the difference.
Speaker 1 (01:05):
That's something interesting that I've sort of seen on social
media is people saying, oh, you know, it's going to
mean that this person is you know, dies, or that
this happens or that happens. It's like there's a lot
of hoops that you've got to jump through. But you like,
you have to be dying.
Speaker 2 (01:22):
Yep, have to have a terminal disease and be insufferable pain,
so that, as you said, there's hoops to jump through.
There's certain conditions you have to meet. It's not as
if somebody can go who's depressed, you have to be
over eighteen can go, oh, look I'm not happy. I
think I don't want to be here anymore. That's not
(01:43):
that just doesn't cut that you can't do that, which
is terrific. And I watched the show last night actually
on the on I think it was SBS about dementia.
And that's a long way off though, because when do
you When does a person if they want to put
it in their's personal plan that at this stage, when
I can't feed myself while I'm in nappies, I would
(02:06):
like to be administered VIAD well, normally the person has
to do it themselves.
Speaker 1 (02:12):
So as I said, so it's not that dementia is
not going to be included when.
Speaker 2 (02:16):
This stilling for it, but it's just at the moment
a bridge too far.
Speaker 1 (02:21):
I agree with you, like I sort of think that
there needs to be some other work first. People need
to see the way in which this works. They need
to see how many people are actually accessing it as well,
because I think this myth that there's going to be
hundreds of people that are going to be accessing voluntary
assist and die is just that, like it's a myth.
It's not an easy thing to be able to do it.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
No, it won't be easy to do. And also though
there's palliative care as well, and a lot of people
will choose that and then some might choose And I
feel you have to be awfully brave to say this
time next week, I'm going to say goodbye to all
my loved ones. And that's my choice to actually pick
(03:03):
a time, pick a day, and pick a place awfully brave,
that's my with my personal opinion, and realize that they'll
never see the smiling face of either their grandchild, their children,
or their partner. Again, is amazing really to think that
somebody can do that. And hopefully when this passes in August,
(03:25):
people will have that choice to say I really can't
handle this insufferable pain and there isn't any cure for
me whatsoever. And as we always say, this is my
choice and it's voluntary. That's the two things to remember.
Speaker 1 (03:40):
So so in terms of August being flagged as the date,
so that would be when legislation is introduced. Yes, that correct,
And so then obviously it's going to need to go
through quite a large process to get to the point
where then it comes.
Speaker 2 (03:55):
To a vote exactly.
Speaker 1 (03:56):
But my understanding is that that vote then will be
a conscience all the different Northern Territory parliamentary members exactly.
So you would hope that those members of parliament are
actually that they're going to go out to their community
for feedback. What would you encourage members of the community
to do at this point.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
Go to your MLA anger. I'd like the choice whether
I use it or not, and I've had a lot
of people who have changed their minds saying yes, sir,
it is a choice. I wouldn't use it, but I
think other people should have the choice, and that's the
thing to remember, choice and voluntary, and that i'd urge
all MLAs on behalf of their constituents. And obviously there's
(04:34):
somebody in Alice Springs who doesn't agree with this at all.
That's his opinion. Fine, that's his choice at all. He'll
probably never use it. But I go back to the
really fantastic words of Marshall parent to the actual press club,
don't deny me my choice. And it's a human rights
really to be able to say I would like to
(04:57):
leave this world. It's a basic human right. So don't
discriminate against us up here in the Northern Territory.
Speaker 1 (05:03):
So so obviously as you said there, you know people
can get in contact with their local members if you
feel really passionately about this, I'd encourage you to do so.
It's been something that's been high on the agenda for
the Council of the Aging over recent months and I
know that the well, it's not the only bit of
work that the Council of the Aging has been working on.
(05:24):
In fact, you've always got plenty on the go. The
Senior's Expo is coming up. When's that kicking off?
Speaker 2 (05:29):
That's on the twenty seventh of June again at the
fantastic Marara Netball Stadium, and we hope to have again
over one hundred exhibitors. And we've got the free morning tea,
we've got the barbecue, all the information we've got. CODA
itself has some giveaways as well, like you scratch your back,
you can get a back cratch ot and you can
get a torch and you can get a special hat.
(05:50):
But they're only for CODA members. But there'll be everything
you need to know there. Really, registrations are a little
bit slow at the moment for exhibitors, so hurry along
if you want to be in a program, Yeah, put
your name down and come and exhibit.
Speaker 1 (06:04):
Kind of like what kind of vendors do you usually
have there? I guess if there is somebody listening this
morning that thinks, actually we'd like to have a presen set.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
Well you'd be surprised. As you know, on the thirty
six thousand seniors in the Northern Church who have a
Senior's Card obviously the majority of those probably live in
the Darwin area, so there's a huge loyal market there,
So come and exhibit your product. Just don't think of
age care products. That's not it. They buy houses, they
buy food, they buy clothes.
Speaker 1 (06:30):
And do you know what if if you're a senior
like my mum, she wouldn't like to be called that,
as I'm sure you probably don't like being called that.
You're experienced, trying to think, trying to think of a
different word.
Speaker 2 (06:40):
I agree with you. When I talk to other women
in their fifties and they go, I'm not you are
classified by the federal government fifty and over as a senior.
I don't like that word, And I think, well, use
do you want to use aging? You're lucky to age.
I've lost friends you have you ever made a senior category?
Speaker 1 (07:00):
That's exactly right. But the thing is our sceneior. Well,
certainly lots of grandma's that I know, Bloody loves spending
their money and so it's a target audience exactly.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
And that they do. People forget, you know that the consumers,
and they've got the time and the money a lot
of them to consume whatever that product is. So don't
just assume that they if they only need like age
care products, are there only need information? It's super information,
it's financial information, all those things you know that they.
Speaker 1 (07:33):
Need all really important stuff. I mean, particularly when you
look at the federal government's tax changes that they introduced
us a few weeks ago as well. There will be
seeing is that want some more info on things like.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
That exactly all the changes and now we're super and
everything else. You know, we're There's no way I'll be
able to give that sort of information, but there'll be
experts there. They can actually say, well, okay, I can
help you here with your financial obligations or what you
want and the best value for your money where to
invest it, or to do this or to do that.
(08:04):
So they have to pass a lot of courses and
be members of different financial institutions. So there's all lots
and there's lots of activities as well, because you know,
we've got to keep you've got to keep mobile. If
you don't use it, you'll lose it totally. There will
be tai chi there, There'll be dancing there, all sorts
of ping pong.
Speaker 1 (08:24):
I love it. So it's not the only thing happening.
There's also the World Elder Abuse Forum coming up. What's
that all about? When's it on?
Speaker 2 (08:32):
We have to Unfortunately we get three or four calls
a week on poor people who are experiencing eld abuse
or people who know that somebody is experiencing eld abuse,
and it really is the scourge of our society. And
it's normally unfortunately family members who are doing this to
another family member. And we are the only jurisdiction really
(08:54):
that hasn't got adults safeguarding in we're working on that.
We're the public and the Public Trustee and also Darwin
Community Legal Service, who we refer a lot of people do.
We had one guy come in, a couple of guys
a couple of weeks ago who was actually probably starving
to death. He was in his home, his children were
(09:15):
pinching all his money, all his food, and he didn't
know what to do and he didn't want to report
them because he didn't want to lose his children. So
that's the saddest thing. We hear that a lot, unfortunately.
But with this world elder abuse, we want to highlight
what you can do and if you see it. And
as an example, we have Anne Burgess who's the chair
of the Age Care Council of Elders in Australia. She's
(09:40):
a wonderful and she'll be speaking on how to recognize
and maybe what to do, and you can go to
counseling and different areas as well. And then in Alice
Springs and Tennant Creek we have Kay Patterson who's the
former Anti Discrimination Commissioner and she's also now patron of
Elder Abuse Australia. So we have some fantastic speakers for
(10:00):
those particular ways. But I'd love to not be able
to do this, yeah, but unfortunately we do have to
highlight it, and unfortunately it happens. It's a bit like
domestic violence. It happens behind closed doors lots of times.
Speaker 1 (10:14):
To speak about it.
Speaker 2 (10:14):
We do. We do have to speak about it, but
like if you want to talk to somebody about voluntary
sister dying, and they're not nice subjects. But unfortunately we
have to open the doors and highlight it and put
a spotlight on unlock solutions.
Speaker 1 (10:29):
Absolutely, and so that's why we love having you on
the show because we do have a lot of seniors
that listen to this show, and I think it's really
important that people understand what's going on and that seniors
have a voice. They do have a very strong voice.
In sushi or I'll tell you what, it is always
good to catch up with you.
Speaker 2 (10:48):
It's wonderful to see hear your adultered tones again. I
listened to my office and sometimes, as you know, I go,
I send you an email, a game.
Speaker 1 (10:57):
But we love it. So I know you're a passion
territory and so we love it. Hey, good to catch
up with you as always, and we'll talk to you
no doubt around the Seniors Expo as well.
Speaker 2 (11:06):
Most definitely thanks Cotie, good stuff.
Speaker 1 (11:08):
Thanks Sue,
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