Dignity and choice hold great significance in life's final chapter. For those with serious illnesses, having control over their final moments can offer comfort.

Advocates are now calling for a compassionate policy shift to address this sensitive issue.

Such a change aims to provide greater peace of mind during an incredibly difficult time.

The Australian Medical Association's (AMA) plea is straightforward yet profound: allow terminally ill patients to receive advice on voluntary assisted dying through telehealth services.

This request comes regardless of whether Anthony Albanese or Peter Dutton is at the helm post-election.

The call for change is not about politics but patient care and equality.

The Australian Medical Association urged the next federal government to amend the criminal code for telehealth VAD advice. Credit: YouTube

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Currently, under the criminal code, it is illegal to use a carriage service, such as phone or internet, to promote suicide.

This includes voluntary assisted dying services, as confirmed by a Federal Court ruling in 2023.

Consequently, doctors risk criminal charges if they provide voluntary assisted dying (VAD) advice via telehealth, email, or phone consultations.

This legal barrier disproportionately affects Australians in rural and regional areas, who may find themselves forced to undertake arduous journeys to cities for medical services.

AMA president Danielle McMullen emphasised the plight of these individuals, noting that the ban also 'disadvantages patients who are physically unable to travel for face-to-face consultations, even at relatively short distances, due to their medical condition.'

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The AMA's stance is clear: the next government must ensure that all eligible patients have equal access to the end-of-life planning they choose.

This is not a new issue; the problems with the current legislation are well-known to the federal government.

In 2024, independent MP Kate Chaney introduced a private member’s bill to rewrite the criminal code to accommodate VAD services via telehealth, but it failed to gain traction.

The code, established in 2005 to combat cyberbullying, now stands as an obstacle to those seeking a peaceful and dignified end to their suffering.

Since the code's inception, every Australian state has introduced laws permitting voluntary assisted dying, with Victoria leading the way in 2019.

Western Australia, Queensland, NSW, Tasmania, and South Australia followed suit.

By late 2025, the Northern Territory will remain the only jurisdiction without a VAD scheme when it becomes available in the ACT.

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The AMA's latest policy position results from extensive consultation with its members, state and territory offices, councils, committees, and Palliative Care Australia. Dr McMullen stresses the importance of maintaining a strong focus on palliative care and the right to conscientious objection.

She asserted, 'It is imperative that governments appropriately fund and resource palliative care throughout Australia. No patient should ever explore VAD because they are unable to access timely, quality palliative care.'

This issue touches on the very essence of what it means to live—and die—with dignity.

As our society evolves, so too must our laws to reflect the values of compassion and choice.

The AMA's call for change is not just a plea for legal reform; it's a call to honor the wishes of those at life's end.

For those among us who may be grappling with these difficult decisions or facing the pain of depression, remember that support is available.

Lifeline can be reached at 13 11 14, and Beyondblue offers assistance at 1300 224 636.

Your GP, local health professional, or a trusted friend can provide guidance and support.

Key Takeaways

• The Australian Medical Association is urging the next federal government to amend the criminal code to permit doctors to provide voluntary assisted dying (VAD) advice through telehealth services.
• Currently, doctors risk criminal charges for advising on VAD via telehealth, email, or phone due to a ruling that the prohibition of promoting suicide extends to VAD services.
• The AMA president highlighted the importance of allowing remote consultations, particularly for rural, regional, and physically incapacitated Australians needing end-of-life planning.
• Independent MP Kate Chaney attempted to change the criminal code with a private member's bill, but it was unsuccessful; every Australian state except the Northern Territory has legalised euthanasia.

What are your thoughts on the proposed changes to VAD laws? How do you feel about the use of telehealth in facilitating end-of-life choices? Share your perspectives in the comments below.

 

[June E]

This is the reason why this proposal is a load of bollocks. A telephone conversation regarding the pros and cons of VAD? Get lost!

VAD is the most IMPORTANT consideration in a person's life. It should not be evaluated over a phone call but IN PERSON.

Or take my Mum's course of action - a DIY suicide courtesy of massive amounts of paracetamol.

Surely though it wouldn’t just be a phone call ? I took it to mean it was information you got from the phone etc then see your Dr to discuss

 

[June E]

So you eould sit there for months maybe. and watch a loved one die in absolute agony. I wouldn't and haven't done that to some of my precious pets, let alone a family member.
What a callous person you are.

Yes we put our pets out of their misery when they are very sick and there’s no hope of a cure. We don’t call that murder so why when people are suffering with no hope can’t we have the same consideration it’s not murder !

 

[Bridgit]

Was discussing this with my GP recently. His answer……… l became a doctor to save lives, not end them.
I don’t agree with him.

But will be happy to prescribe drugs that are proven to maim and are killers?

 

[Bridgit]

I agree that terminally ill patients should have this right. However, it is a concern that some could be bullied by greedy relatives to make this choice.

There are ways to prevent that - that is why it isn't easy to get.

 

[Bridgit]

I worked in aged care for a very long time. I never witnessed anyone left to die in agony. Morphine was administered for pain relief. I have to say that when my husband was dying, and I asked for pain relief for him I never expected to keep wondering if I did the right thing. It still worries me every day.

You did right by him I assure you - and that is all that matters. I did the same for my mothers husband and have never regretted it - she wanted him to suffer - I didn't!

 

[Clancieblue]

I agree that terminally ill patients should have this right. However, it is a concern that some could be bullied by greedy relatives to make this choice.

Yes, it is.

 

[Bridgit]

I don't know what happened here but if she deliberately overdosed him with his medication then that is murder. Every state now allows assisted suicide or assisted murder in hospitals or under medical supervision & she should have taken the legal route.

For one thing she can't - her husband could and he may not have been able to. Call it what you like she did it out of love no matter what slant you want to put on it!

 

[Bridgit]

And you shouldn't expect doctors & nurses to kill you. Think of the effect this will have on their mental health over the years they work in hospitals if they are required to administer drugs to kill their patients. As a former nurse I could never have participated in this without it causing me a tremendous amount of grief & ultimately depression which could be life altering for me.

Doctors have been doing it for decades - why - because they have compassion and want the end to be as comfortable as possible.

 

[Luckyus]

I'm all for VAD if the government also includes convicted murderers?

 

[Jokee]

I 100% agree with assisted dying. Sadly, there is one major problem with the law as it stands which is unrecognised and makes it useless to a large percent of people needing this option. I have recently been diagnosed with early stage Alzheimer's. When the time comes where I no longer have a quality life, I want an assisted death. Having received this horrendous diagnoses, I started putting my affairs in order with the priority of making everything as easy for my daughter as possible - paid for my cremation, set up my last wishes for a celebration of my life rather than a funeral, and my assisted death plan. With these things in place, I could continue living the rest of my life in peace, knowing I had put into place everything I could. Then I ran into a problem. The law states that in order to get an assisted death, one must be assessed by two doctors as being of sound mind and have a medical diagnoses of not more than a year to live. Now this could work, for instance, when one has cancer. But it will not work for one with dementia. By the time it can be shown I have only a year to live, I will no longer be of sound mind. I tried to get the assessment done now so I could prove this was my wish and I am of sound mind, but that isn't allowed. This has gutted me. I will not put my daughter through watching me no longer remembering her. No mother would want to leave their child that way, and why would I want to continue to live once I didn't even know who I was? So now, instead of being able to get on with living the rest of my maybe short remaining life, I must now figure out a way of killing myself in a way that is as less hurtful too my daughter as possible. And I may have to do this earlier that I would choose, as I don't want to wait until I am past the point of being able to carry this out. This is cruel. I wanted to leave this Earth with my daughter and other loved ones present as I peacefully passed. The law needs to be changed in cases of dementia to where the person can make a declaration of their wishes while still of sound mind and have it carried out once they reach the point of no longer having a quality life. It is cruel to make someone have to take their own life.

I agree, if you have been diagnosed with such a debilitating disease and are still of sane mind, why can't two doctors assess you and put those wishes in place.

 

[gamiry]

this subject is on tv at this very moment. A lady has muscular Dystrophy and is on high dosage of oxygen and she is given nothing. A gentleman surrounded by family has just been given his last drink and has passed with a very happy smile. WHAT'S YOUR CHOICE? I know what mine is. I was in nursing many years. At one old people's home we had an angel of a doctor who gave out wings to the love and thanks of the families. I've been a member of EXIT for quite a few years but I've been told I would not ever be eligible for assisted dying because I'd never be bad enough even though I've had 4 different cancers, been up the white light twice, had kidney disease from age 8 and have Pseudomonas, a breathing disease which makes me sound like I have the death rattle. I've had it almost 30 years from mould, mildew, asbestos and fibro. I've just turned 83 and getting pretty sick of the do gooders who would put down a sick animal but insist on what they call QUALITY OF LIFE. Arrogant pricks. They should walk my shoes, they'd find my legs don't work either and my arms are going the same way,. Those who know me well also know I have 4 packets of sleeping tablets in a drawer when I consider it's my time. NO ONE WILLL STOP ME. I live with pain but Panadol is the heaviest pain killer I can have because I'm highly allergic to most pills including pain and anesthetic. Doctors know this so won't give my scripts for anything heavy, My funeral has been paid for since 2009 and my funeral director has said he will take me on one last fishing trip. Thank you David.

 

[Judy ABowser]

I 100% agree with your Dr. They did not study to become a murderer which is what this "assisted dying" really is - murder.

I don’t agree with the Dr. I hope I have the opportunity of VAD when the time comes. It is ok if you die in your sleep but after watching my brother die with bowel cancer & he had continuous morphine going into his system it is soul destroying & you never forget.

 

[Parrot]

Why does the code to combat CYBERBULLING , now STANDS as an obstacle for
Those seeking a peaceful and dignified END to their suffering.
As far as I can remember “ CYBERBULLYING “ is sending or sharing harmful, false, or mean
Content about someone else.
What has that got to do with someone who just wants a peaceful & dignified end to their suffering.

 

[RobbyNotTheRobot]

And you shouldn't expect doctors & nurses to kill you. Think of the effect this will have on their mental health over the years they work in hospitals if they are required to administer drugs to kill their patients. As a former nurse I could never have participated in this without it causing me a tremendous amount of grief & ultimately depression which could be life altering for me.

You as a former Nurse would of come across a situation or heard of situations where it's decided to switch off a life support system that's keeping someone alive because nothing is working and many other reasons to switch off despite them still having a pulse that says they are alive.
In the last year I have been in hospital for 7 weeks total and have come across lots of Nurses who have different 'ways' to be a Nurse. Some are by the book, Some bend the book. Some are stern matronly like in an old British film, some are different.
What I am trying to get at is what is called an Ethical dilemma. Surly, you must of felt something seeing others in pain suffering and not being able to do anything about it other than keep telling them to drink more water. I am talking to Elaine41 and not the Nurse you were.

 

[mylittletibbies]

I worked in aged care for a very long time. I never witnessed anyone left to die in agony. Morphine was administered for pain relief. I have to say that when my husband was dying, and I asked for pain relief for him I never expected to keep wondering if I did the right thing. It still worries me every day.

I also worked in an aged care facility for a short time many years ago.
I am not a nurse but worked as the secretary to the nursing unit manager

On several occasions I heard people in severe distress and was told by a couple
of the nurses that morphine, like many other drugs, do not work for all people.

 

[Jest]

this is a private thought from the patient suffering and no one else.

 

[Jest]

And you shouldn't expect doctors & nurses to kill you. Think of the effect this will have on their mental health over the years they work in hospitals if they are required to administer drugs to kill their patients. As a former nurse I could never have participated in this without it causing me a tremendous amount of grief & ultimately depression which could be life altering for me.

time for you to keep your opinions to yourself. i am glad you did not nurse me. i would have suffered without any empathy from you. the person who is ill is the one suffering while you moan on about yourself and how YOU would feel. i find this disgusting.