Australia news live: number of Australians missing in Nepal increases to 39; voluntary assisted dying now legal nation-wide

Foreign affairs minister Penny Wong confirms increase to number of Australians missing

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Voluntary assisted dying laws have been passed in the Northern Territory jurisdiction following debate over a gag clause barring doctors from raising end-of-life options with patients, Australian Associated Press reports.

The rights of the terminally ill bill passed on a conscience vote in the Northern Territory parliament late last night, with the gag intact.