Arabic version: ضغوط على ألبانيزي بشأن حظر التطبيب عن بُعد للمساعدة الطبية الطوعية على الموت

According to ABC News, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is under pressure to permit action on telehealth access for voluntary assisted dying (VAD) after Labor’s national conference backed support for its use in VAD care. Albanese supports VAD but has expressed opposition to access through telehealth appointments.

The issue would require an amendment to the Commonwealth Criminal Code, which prohibits using a carriage service to promote or counsel on suicide. A 2023 Federal Court decision found VAD fell within the definition of suicide, meaning telehealth consultations could breach the law. The provision dates to criminal-code changes made in 2005 in response to internet suicide-related material.

Western Australian crossbencher Kate Chaney has a private member’s bill on the notice paper to remove the telehealth restriction. She has written to Attorney-General Michelle Rowland, with copies to Albanese and House leader Tony Burke, saying she will seek to suspend standing orders to bring the bill on when parliament resumes on Tuesday week.

Chaney said people were undertaking exhausting and painful travel to access VAD, and argued her proposed change would clarify that lawful VAD care is not suicide. She asked the government to allow Labor members a free vote on both the procedural motion and the bill. While Labor MPs could exercise conscience votes if legislation reached a final vote, the government could block the proposal procedurally.

Albanese has said protections around VAD are important and argued that a person ending their life should have face-to-face recognition and engagement. Health Minister Mark Butler is described as an influential voice on the other side of the debate. Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young also plans to introduce a private senator’s bill in the first sitting fortnight of the coming session.