Submissions
Joint statement: Electronic communications must be available for voluntary assisted dying
6th Aug 2024
NATIONAL & NORTHERN TERRITORY
The ALA has signed a joint statement calling on the Federal Government to amend the Commonwealth Criminal Code, which currently prohibits the use of online platforms (including Telehealth) for Voluntary Assisted Dying consultations.
This prohibition disadvantages people who are unable to travel for face-to-face consultations due to the complexity of their medical condition or because they live in a rural or remote area.
Relatedly, the Expert Advisory Panel tasked by the Northern Territory Government to look into developing a framework for Voluntary Assisted Dying in the Northern Territory released its final report last week.
The Expert Advisory Panel has made 22 recommendations, including that:
- the Northern Territory Government should legislate to make Voluntary Assisted Dying legal in the Northern Territory in a manner broadly consistent with Voluntary Assisted Dying legislation in the ACT and all the states;
- subject to the Federal Government amending the Commonwealth Criminal Code, Telehealth should be permitted for Voluntary Assisted Dying assessments; and
- processes for addressing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural safety need to be designed and resourced as a core part of the operationalisation of Voluntary Assisted Dying.
The ALA’s February 2024 submission to the Expert Advisory Panel is quoted at multiple points in the Expert Advisory Panel’s final report.
ALA Joint Statement
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