Andrew Denton calls for outdated voluntary dying restrictions to be scrapped
Andrew Denton urges scrapping restrictions on interstate voluntary assisted dying now that all states allow it.
Andrew Denton founded Go Gentle Australia, an advocacy group. Denton told the National Press Club that restrictions stopping interstate VAD access are now outdated.
Since Victoria legalized the practice in 2016, every other state and territory has followed. The Northern Territory was the last in August.
Denton is calling for the ban on telehealth VAD consultations to be lifted. The ban was meant to stop remote advice.
Now it stops rural and remote patients from accessing services that city residents can reach. Federal Labor agreed at its July conference to debate scrapping the telehealth restriction with a conscience vote.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has opposed any changes. Denton warned that some doctors refusing on conscience grounds can block patient access entirely.
- 2016
- Year VAD legalized in Victoria
- Northern Territory, August
- Last state to legalize
- $364,000
- Fine for telehealth VAD
- Federal Labor conference, July
- Conscience vote scheduled
Why it mattersTerminally ill Australians in remote areas cannot access a legal service because telehealth is banned for VAD consultations. This creates a health postcode lottery.
AustraliaRural and remote terminally ill Australians face travel barriers to access voluntary assisted dying that is legal in their state, while city residents can access it more easily.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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