New Delhi, Jan. 3 -- The first place in the world to legalize voluntary euthanasia 31 years ago could this year become the last part of Australia to secure the same legal reform as the Northern Territory government on Friday announced plans to legislate for doctor-assisted dying for a second time.

The Northern Territory's world-first laws passed in 1995 were overturned by the Australian Parliament two years later and after four terminally ill patients were legally helped to die.

Since then, all six Australian states have passed assisted dying laws and the Australian Parliament has lifted the ban on the two territories, Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory, passing such laws of their own.

The Australian Capital Territory ...