Voluntary Assisted Dying Telehealth Bill

Protecting VAD professionals from criminal prosecution when using telehealth.

ENSURING ALL AUSTRALIANS HAVE EQUAL ACCESS TO END-OF-LIFE SERVICES

Kate introduced her Voluntary Assisted Dying Telehealth Bill to the House of Representatives on 12 February 2024 and re-tabled the Bill on 25 May 2026. On 2 July 2026, Kate tabled a petition signed by more than 13,000 Australians calling on the Government to amend the Commonwealth law which is currently preventing access to lawful VAD care, and spoke on the petition in Parliament.

Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) is now lawful in all Australian states, yet the Commonwealth Criminal Code, an outdated Commonwealth law, is stopping dying people from accessing it properly.  A provision in the Commonwealth Criminal Code - written in 2005, twelve years before any VAD law existed and aimed at pro-suicide websites - criminalises the use of telecommunications for VAD.  This means doctors who use the phone, internet, fax, email or video-conferencing to provide lawful VAD care risk prosecution and fines greater than $300,000.  

“I have heard heartbreaking stories of terminally ill people travelling long distances in agony to see a doctor in person, or both doctor and patient travelling for hours to have a consultation halfway in a carpark. VAD practitioners are being forced to choose between compassionate and convenient care for their patients and the risk of being prosecuted. Tragically, the current laws also mean people simply can't access VAD, despite it being lawful."

Kate has called on the Government to make a simple change to the Criminal Code, by making it clear that VAD is not suicide, and has provided in her Private Member's Bill the simple legislative fix required. 

You can read Kate's VAD Telehealth Bill here, and the Explanatory Memorandum and Kate’s Speech in Parliament. You can also watch Kate’s recent speeches on VAD in Parliament in the video below.

On 24 July 2026, the Labor Party's National Conference passed a motion calling on the Government to change the law, so doctors can use phones, video calls and other digital tools to provide VAD care. Kate will push to ensure this decision is implemented and the laws amended so that the needless suffering of people in the final stages of life can end. 

Hear Kate TALK ABOUT the Voluntary Assisted Dying Telehealth Bill