Northern Territory CLP backbencher Tanzil Rahman announced amendments to the government's voluntary assisted dying bill to remove a 12-month prognosis limit and clinician gag clauses, aiming for best practice legislation.
Independent MP Kate Chaney is pushing to amend federal laws that currently criminalize telehealth for voluntary assisted dying (VAD) consultations, despite most states allowing VAD. The Labor national conference voted to repeal the law, but PM Anthony Albanese has expressed concerns about safeguards. Medical and legal bodies support the change, citing patient suffering and delays in care, while some religious leaders oppose it. Chaney's bill is set for debate on August 11.
Proposed voluntary assisted dying (VAD) laws are set to pass the Northern Territory parliament, making euthanasia legal across all Australian jurisdictions. The bill, to be introduced Thursday and debated in August, has confirmed support despite diverging from inquiry recommendations on prognosis timeframe and a "gag clause" for doctors.
A family highlights the suffering caused by Australia's federal law banning doctors from discussing voluntary assisted dying (VAD) via telehealth, forcing patients like Jason Smith to travel extensively, while the Catholic Church opposes VAD and runs hospitals that deny such services.
