Voluntary assisted dying back steps for remote patients, Federal court rules it suicide

Shutterstock_1902433510
New South Wales was the last Australian State to pass voluntary assisted dying (VAD) laws in late November. [Source: Shutterstock]

Key Points:

  • On Thursday, the Federal Court clarified that VAD was considered suicide under the Commonwealth’s Criminal Code, meaning doctors could be charged under laws that prohibit using a carriage service – such as telehealth, email or phone calls – to incite or provide information about suicide
  • The court confirmed this law would be applied to ending a person’s life under State VAD laws. This means doctors consulting with patients about VAD via telehealth would be breaking the law, even if those actions had been authorised under State legislation
  • According to polling conducted by the Australia Institute, 76% of Australians support VAD

Politicians and advocates are pushing for amendments to the Commonwealth’s Criminal Code and Federal laws to allow doctors to consult with patients about voluntary assisted dying (VAD) via telehealth appointments – a means most terminally ill people in rural and remote areas rely on. 

Judged by Justice Wendy Abraham, the matter was brought to the Federal Government by Victorian doctor Nicholas Carr who was seeking clarity about whether the term “suicide” mentioned in the Code included VAD as it had not stated a definition of the term. 

This ruling came just days after VAD began in New South Wales – the last State in the country to allow access to the service.

Without a definition of suicide in the Criminal Code, Justice Abraham said its ordinary and natural meaning should apply.

“The parliament saw fit not to define the term given that it was so firmly and universally used and understood at that point in time,” her judgment said.

The judgment also said Commonwealth laws should prevail in any clash between State and Federal legislation.

Doctors and advocates for VAD have long been calling for changes to Federal laws, saying it is difficult for patients who live outside of metropolitan areas and those whose conditions limit their ability to move or travel to attend in-person appointments.

Dr Carr argued that the term suicide should not apply to VAD because the service involved a legal right to intentionally take one’s life that was regulated by State law. He said he was “absolutely gutted” with the verdict further restricting General Practitioners (GPs) and claimed it would be difficult to provide comprehensive care concerning VAD without using a carriage service for at least some of that work.

According to the latest annual report from the Victorian Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board, GPs make up 71% of practitioners in regional parts of the State.

“We so desperately need to get this changed and yet now we are stuck,” Dr Carr told ABC News.

“If a patient rings me and says, ‘I want you there when I’m taking the medication on Friday’, and we’re having a conversation, does that mean I’m breaking the law? After this ruling, it seems any connection on a carriage service is potentially at risk,” he asked, speaking with the Sydney Morning Herald (SMH). 

The ruling has started new advocacy efforts and calls for amendments to the Code and changes to Federal laws by State Governments and independent MPs with spokespeople and Attorney Generals across the country voicing their disappointment with the verdict. 

Queensland Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath has said she will continue to lobby for the urgent amendment of these laws to ensure Queenslanders in the regions aren’t discriminated against and their suffering unnecessarily prolonged and Victoria’s Minister for Ageing Ingrid Stitt also raised her disappointment with the impacts of this ruling on regional communities.

Meanwhile, Federal independent MP Kate Chaney plans to introduce a private members’ bill in the new year exempting VAD appointments from the Code.

Untitled design - 2023-12-04T140414.139
Independent MPs Kate Chaney and Monique Ryan. [Source: APP - Lukas Coch]

This bill is also being supported by fellow independent MP and former neurologist, Monique Ryan.

“This small amendment will remove any ambiguity and allow doctors to administer end-of-life services without fear of prosecution under an outdated law. It’s time to update our laws in line with community expectations, so that access to dignified end-of-life services doesn’t depend on your postcode,” Ms Chaney told the media.

However, some groups do not want to see the Commonwealth’s Code amended and even Prime Minister Anthony Albanese voiced concerns with patients accessing VAD counselling through telehealth.

“I support [VAD], but with very strict conditions to make sure that appropriate protections are in place,” he told 3AW radio on Friday.

Catholic Health Australia (CHA) has said telehealth access cannot replace face-to-face consults for such a serious issue. 

A CHA spokesperson told the SMH that telehealth access for VAD would make it more accessible in regional areas than ordinary end-of-life and palliative care – “Far from creating a level playing field.”

“Amending the criminal code will increase the vulnerability and risk to regional, rural, remote Australians who are the most likely to use telehealth services without ready access to other options,” they said.

“An assessment of this nature would further exacerbate the lack of protection for patients experiencing duress, undue influence, elder abuse and mental impairment, which cannot be appropriately assessed via phone or a Zoom call.” 

The issue is unlikely to be a priority for the Federal Government this term as it focuses on the cost-of-living crisis. 

Help is available at Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyondblue.org.au

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. This issue is the last stand for those opposed to VAD.

    If concerned about adequacy of telehealth consults in regards to VAD. Then provide adequate funding & resources to allow rural patients to recieve an equal level of service.

    Don’t allow the far right religious minority to hide behind this barrier when in reality there only motivation is their opposition to VAD under any circumstance.

    When more than 75% support VAD doing nothing is NOTan option.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

“Bullying is rife in aged care”

  By Maria Berry Our family was privileged to attend the premiere launch of ‘The Target’, a movie by Giovanna Mercuri about bullying. The movie is based on true stories of bullying and the serious long term impacts on those who are victims. This movie made me reflect on bullying within the aged care sector.... Read More

‘I’m scared for my residents’: 24/7 RN mandate could quash functioning facilities

A facility manager at a regional aged care home fears that the Government’s 24/7 Registered Nursing mandate could force her facility to shut down despite an unblemished track record. Read More

Are unqualified carers administering medication in the community?

When a new carer arrived at Anna’s* front door a few weeks ago to help with the care of her father, the first thing she asked him about was his qualifications. “I have none,” the carer replied. Confused for a moment, Anna asked, “Do you mean you have the minimum, just Certificate III?” “No, I’m... Read More
Advertisement