Restoring Territory Rights 2022

# Restoring Territory Rights Bill 2022 ## What it does This bill removes two legal restrictions that previously prevented the Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory from making certain laws. Specifically, it repeals clauses that blocked these territories from legislating in areas where federal law had previously overridden their powers. ## Why it matters The territories have been seeking greater autonomy to make their own decisions on matters affecting their communities. This change gives elected representatives in Canberra and Darwin more say over local laws, rather than having those powers locked away at the federal level. ## Key details - **ACT change:** Removes subsections 23(1A) and (1B) of the Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988, which had restricted legislative powers - **NT change:** Removes section 50A of the Northern Territory (Self-Government) Act 1978, similarly removing a legislative restriction - **Grandfather clause:** Any actions taken under the Northern Territory's Rights of the Terminally Ill Act before 27 March 1997 remain valid, but the Act itself can't be used to justify actions from that date forward (unless the NT later passes new legislation saying otherwise)

🔒 Voting closed — this bill has been decided by parliament