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.

 

[Dawn Fryett 4865]

I totally agree assisted dying should be allowed for those whose end of life is nothing but pain, my own father was in so much poain and received no help from the DR. because he was unable to ask for help due to the fact he couldn't talk due to Cancer in throat, young stupid Dr. didn't ask if he needed anything for pain, so he was left to die in excruciting pain until I arrived from overseas and made the Dr, give him some relief, the last words my father said was thank you he died shortly afterwards,

 

[IAN3005]

VAD should be available to ALL people without the hoops you have to jump through.
Under the current system, you have to be almost at death's door.

 

[Towing]

Apparently some patients become immune to pain relief and suffer to the end.
A friend of ours worked in Palliatve Care. She never agreed with assistance to die until she witnessed the pain and suffering their patients suffered and they had strong hearts so that prolonged suffering and no quality of life at all

 

[Mr Chips]

Our precious lives belong to us; it is, therefore, our choice what to do with them. It should not matter what anyone else thinks about how we might handle it, so we should be given the facility to end it if we so choose.

 

[Koda]

Palliative care needs wider availability for rural patient, so does assisted dying people should be able to choose when there’s absolutely no hope of recovery and they are experiencing terrible pain should be their life their choices. To sit and watch someone suffer is soul destroying

 

[Teddy is my boy]

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.

 

[Abbie70]

Medical care includes "relieve suffering". This must be between Dr and Patient confidentiality. No body else's business. VAD must be considered a human right.

 

[elaine41]

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.

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

 

[Beezzzy]

So let's. all get behind the poor woman just arrested after giving her husband dignity and relief, from motor neuron disease

 

[DerekKMartin]

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

Don't agree with it, then don't do it. You shouldn't have the right to have control over my body and my wishes

 

[Veggiepatch]

Medical care includes "relieve suffering". This must be between Dr and Patient confidentiality. No body else's business. VAD must be considered a human right.

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.

 

[elaine41]

Don't agree with it, then don't do it. You shouldn't have the right to have control over my body and my wishes

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.

 

[elaine41]

So let's. all get behind the poor woman just arrested after giving her husband dignity and relief, from motor neuron disease

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.

 

[mylittletibbies]

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

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.

 

[Mikeyboy2012]

We are looked after when sick, often by phone...so, why not when we're nearing the end of our days?

Personal visits are preferable, to ensure that doctors have the full story and can examine the patient. But if the patients are remote, then flying doctor or Telehealth appointments should be allowed. Preferably a video call so that doctors can see the patient, to some extent.

No matter what, the patient's needs must come first!

 

[Patty Sierra]

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.

 

[Clancieblue]

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.

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.

 

[Dynomite]

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.

 

[maxesmum]

I hope someone has the guts to help me if I’m ever that far gone and in pain. This is not a new thing. My mother was a nurse in the war and she often administered drugs,on doctors orders,that she knew were too high. She never regretted what she did,ever. I have two sisters,both palliative care nurses,who have done the same. Again,no regrets. I would never allow an animal to suffer for a second,so why would I allow a beloved family member? Of course it’s never done lightly. It’s a massive decision for all concerned but ultimately it’s your right,not someone else’s.