<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>341388</docID> <postdate>2025-03-29 11:40:33</postdate> <headline>Doctors make election voluntary assisted dying plea</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-317256" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/voluntry-assisted-dying-resized.jpeg" alt="" width="900" height="600" /></p> <caption>Doctors who advise patients about voluntary assisted dying via telehealth can face criminal charges.</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <strong>Callum Godde</strong></span></p> <p><strong>Terminally ill patients should be able to receive voluntary assisted dying advice remotely regardless of whether Anthony Albanese or Peter Dutton rules the roost post election, a peak body says.</strong></p> <p>The Australian Medical Association is calling for the next federal government to change the criminal code to allow doctors across the country to provide voluntary assisted dying services via telehealth.</p> <p>Under the code, it is illegal to use a carriage service to promote suicide and the Federal Court ruled in 2023 that the ban also extended to voluntary assisted dying services.</p> <p>As such, doctors who advise patients about voluntary assisted dying via telehealth, email or phone consultations can face criminal charges.</p> <p>AMA president Danielle McMullen said the ban could have a major impact on rural and regional Australians who might have to travel to cities for medical services.</p> <p>"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," she said.</p> <p>"The next government must act to ensure eligible patients have equal access to the end-of-life planning of their choice.</p> <p>"This is not a new issue and problems with the current legislation are well known to the federal government."</p> <p>In 2024, independent MP Kate Chaney introduced a private member's bill to federal parliament to rewrite the criminal code but it went nowhere.</p> <p>The code barring people from advocating or promoting suicide was put in place in 2005, as an attempt to crack down on cyberbullying.</p> <p>Every Australian state has since introduced laws allowing voluntary assisted dying.</p> <p>Victoria was the first Australian state to legalise euthanasia in 2019, with Western Australia, Queensland, NSW, Tasmania and South Australia following suit.</p> <p>The Northern Territory will be the only jurisdiction in Australia without a scheme when it becomes legally available in the ACT in late 2025.</p> <p>The peak body said its latest policy position followed extensive consultation with its members, state and territory offices, councils and committees, as well as Palliative Care Australia.</p> <p>Dr McMullen said it maintained a strong focus on palliative care and the right to conscientious objection.</p> <p>"It is imperative that governments appropriately fund and resource palliative care throughout Australia," she said.</p> <p>"No patient should ever explore VAD because they are unable to access timely, quality palliative care."</p> <p><em>Lifeline 13 11 14</em><br /> <em>beyondblue 1300 22 4636</em></p> </body>