1 day Ago By Anthony Caggiano
There's a renewed push for doctors to be allowed to use telehealth for services ahead of the , though one group fears it's leading people down a path to "assisted suicide". or signup to continue reading Australian Christian Lobby chief executive officer Michelle Pearse said the country has "devalued life" by allowing across the nation and was concerned changing current laws would increase risk of elder abuse. "Laws that devalue life and dehumanise are a recipe for disaster," she told .
"Elder abuse is prominent in Australia and offering telehealth consultations for access to assisted suicide will remove safeguards that protect against coercion. "The incoming Federal Government must not amend the to allow carriage services to counsel someone to suicide." The Australian Medical Association (AMA) and Go Gentle Australia are among the organisations calling for changes to the laws around VAD ahead of the federal election, specifically the so doctors can provide services via telehealth.
"The prohibition on the use of telehealth could have a major impact on people living in regional, rural and remote communities who may not have the same access to medical services as those in the cities and who may need to travel long distances for care," said AMA president Dr Danielle McMullen. "It also disadvantages patients who are physically unable to travel for face-to-face consultations, even at relatively short distances, due to their medical condition." All states have implemented their own laws to allow VAD, with some key differences in legislation.
It will be legal in the ACT from November 3, 2025. . Under federal law in the , it is illegal for someone to use a 'carriage service' such as a telephone, videoconference, email or other forms of electronic communication to publish or share information that offers advice or encourages committing or attempting to commit suicide.
"Doctors have an ethical duty to provide their patients with quality end-of-life care that strives to alleviate pain and suffering, supports individuals' values and preferences for care and allows them to achieve the best quality of life possible," Dr McMullen said. Go Gentle Australia chief executive officer Dr Linda Swan calls for VAD to be included in federal definitions of end-of-life care, as not doing so "justifies the different treatment and stigma that dying people face when they seek" it. Meanwhile, COTA NT chief executive officer Sue Shearer is calling on the territory's elected members to update its (1995) plus allow VAD.
"If you are diagnosed with a terminal illness in another state, you have the right to choose, with dignity, the time and place that you will say goodbye surrounded by family. How is it right that Territorians cannot do the same?" she said. "We do not deserve to be treated as second-class citizens.
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