Grattan on Friday: A reluctant Albanese is under pressure over telehealth for VAD

Per The Conversation, the Labor Party conference voted this week to support telehealth for voluntary assisted dying—but Prime Minister Albanese opposes the change. Australian criminal law currently prohibits using telehealth to counsel on suicide-related matters, even for lawful VAD care. Crossbencher Kate Chaney has introduced a private member's bill to lift that ban and plans to seek parliamentary time for it when the chamber resumes next week. People currently must travel exhausting distances to access VAD. Albanese supports voluntary assisted dying itself but argues that face-to-face engagement is essential to protect safeguards—putting his personal view at odds with his party's conference decision.

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