Labor under pressure to allow telehealth access for euthanasia but PM says ‘it should be face-to-face’
Summary
The Australian Labor Party (ALP) is facing pressure to change its policy to allow voluntary assisted dying (euthanasia) through telehealth services. While the new party platform supports this change, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese prefers euthanasia discussions to happen face-to-face due to concerns about medical safety and misuse.Key Facts
- The ALP’s national conference updated its platform to support voluntary assisted dying via telehealth.
- The change would overturn an old law banning euthanasia consultations through telehealth.
- Labor MPs would have a conscience vote, meaning they can vote according to their personal views.
- Prime Minister Albanese supports assisted dying but wants face-to-face assessments to protect patients.
- Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young and independent Kate Chaney plan to introduce private bills to advance telehealth euthanasia access.
- Current federal law criminalizes encouraging suicide over telecommunications, with fines up to $300,000.
- Advocates argue telehealth access is needed for people in rural areas or with mobility problems.
- Labor’s updated platform promises to remove legal barriers to telehealth for end-of-life care while keeping clinical safeguards.
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