New pressure on PM to allow telehealth for voluntary assisted dying

South Australia's Labor government is pushing the federal government to allow telehealth for voluntary assisted dying (VAD), defying Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's stance. The state government has written to Attorney-General Michelle Rowland urging immediate action to amend the definition of suicide in the criminal code to exclude VAD care.

This move puts the state at odds with Albanese, who has personal concerns about coercion and elder abuse if telehealth replaces in-person consultations. The federal law currently prohibits using telehealth services to counsel or promote suicide, leading to potential fines and criminal charges for doctors who use these methods. South Australia has become the first state to formally request the change, arguing that the restrictions disadvantage patients in regional, rural, and remote areas.

The state government asserts that the current provision prevents doctors from providing VAD care via telehealth, forcing patients to travel long distances or face delays in accessing care. The move is part of a broader pattern of the Malinauskas government pursuing its agenda on contentious policy debates, with other states potentially following suit.

While the Australian Medical Association supports changing the federal law, some doctors remain opposed, citing risks of elder abuse and coercion.