FEDERAL Parliament could soon find itself grappling once more with euthanasia after the leaders of both major parties gave permission for a conscience vote on the issue.

The Greens leader, Bob Brown, plans to proceed with a private member's bill when Parliament resumes.

It would allow the Northern Territory and ACT governments to legislate to allow euthanasia.

Eleven years ago, Federal Parliament passed the Andrews Bill to overturn euthanasia laws in the Northern Territory.

That bill, introduced by the then Liberal backbencher Kevin Andrews, was allowed a conscience vote.

Senator Brown decided to proceed after a Senate inquiry into his bill provided very limited support.

Of those on the Senate legal and constitutional affairs committee, the Liberals Guy Barnett, Mary Jo Fisher and Russell Trood, as well as Labor's John Hogg, opposed any change to the Euthanasia Act.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald