2026-09-01
Responding to the South Australian Labor Government’s call for urgent federal law reform to allow Australians to access voluntary assisted dying through telehealth, Greens Senator for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young, who introduced a Bill in federal Parliament last month to remove this barrier, said:
“This call from South Australia makes it clear that this crucial reform cannot wait.
“Access to expert and compassionate end-of-life medical care is a right every Australian should have access to, which is why I have put forward a bill to fix the law, that is now ready for debate in the parliament.
“No Australian should be denied access to high quality health care and advice at the most difficult time in their lives, simply because of where they live.
“Voluntary assisted dying is legal in every state and territory, yet too many Australians living with terminal illness are denied access to VAD advice and care because they are blocked from speaking to their doctor on the phone.
“The bill I have introduced to the parliament will fix this. Now it’s up to the Albanese Government to let Parliament get on with passing it.
“The Prime Minister must not let his personal opinion to compassionate end-of-life healthcare stand in the way of a conscience vote.
“Labor MPs should be trusted to vote according to their conscience and their communities, so Parliament can do what is right.
"This reform has the backing of doctors, healthcare professionals, advocates, and people with lived experience who know how important it is that voluntary assisted dying is accessible to everyone who is eligible.
“We cannot afford to treat voluntary assisted dying as a luxury for the lucky few who live close to healthcare infrastructure.
“Parliament could fix this by the end of the year.
“All it takes is the political will to work together and put patients and their families first.
“Your postcode should never determine your access to dignified end-of-life care.”
Background:
The Sarah Hanson-Young Podcast with VAD advocate Andrew Denton