The Prime Minister has opened the debate on the possibility of changing the laws covering voluntary euthanasia

The Prime Minister Julia Gillard has opened the way for further debate on the subject of voluntary euthanasia.

There will also be further discussions between the Government and the Greens on the laws at state and territory level after Greens leader Senator Bob Brown called for a review of the legislation that prevents territory governments from legalising voluntary euthanasia.

The Leader of the Opposition Tony Abbott says that parliament should be focusing on discussions covering bigger issues than euthanasia, but Bob Brown has nominated the topic as one of his top priorities and one he'll be discussing with the Prime Minister at their next meeting.'

The former Chief Minister of the Northern Territory Marshall Perron, who introduced legislative changes to allow voluntary euthanasia to go ahead in 1995 has welcomed the new debate.

He says he also welcomes further discussions on changes to the legislation that will allow territory governments to decide for themselves whether they want to allow voluntary euthanasia. Currently the territories cannot repeal the federal legislation that prevents the practice, that was passed in 1995.

Marshall Perron introduced the "Rights of the Terminally Ill" Bill in 1995 that allowed people in the Northern Territory to practice voluntary euthanasia without breaking the law.

Now he says it's time to review the laws as they stand.

He told 702 ABC Sydney's Breakfast host Adam Spencer that changes to the laws to allow for voluntary euthanasia are widely supported in the community.