澳大利亚工党全国会议通过修正案，支持在合法的辅助死亡护理中使用远程医疗技术。[1]根据该修正案，工党将消除联邦法律中存在的障碍，以便州和地区能够在维持适当临床保障的前提下，将包括远程医疗在内的生命终结护理作为合法辅助死亡的一部分。[1]
支持这一举措的议员指出了现实中的迫切需要。维多利亚州议员瑞恩·贝彻勒表示，对许多生活在偏远地区的澳大利亚人来说，辅助死亡护理难以获得。[1]澳大利亚首都地区议员凯特琳·陶夫指出了当前法律的矛盾之处：医生可以在办公桌对面合法进行交谈，但通过电话或视频进行相同沟通会面临刑事风险。[1]
联邦检察长米歇尔·罗兰随后提出动议，声明辅助死亡问题可在党的任何论坛自由辩论，但任何决议对党员无约束力。[1]罗兰个人表示，不相信面对生命终结决定的人不应该有尊严地与医疗从业者进行咨询。[1]内阁部长唐·法雷尔表示不支持在这些情况下使用远程医疗，因为他本身不支持自愿安乐死。[1]
Australia's Labor Party national conference has passed an amendment supporting the use of telehealth in legally accessible voluntary assisted dying care. [1] The amendment aims to remove barriers in federal legislation that currently prevent states and territories from implementing end-of-life services through remote medical consultation while maintaining appropriate clinical safeguards. [1]
Several Labor parliamentarians highlighted the need for such reform. Victorian MP Ryan Betchelor noted that "assisted dying care is difficult to access for many Australians living in remote areas," [1] while ACT MP Caitlin Tuff pointed out the legal inconsistency whereby "doctors can legally have a conversation across an office desk, but the same communication conducted by phone or video faces criminal risk." [1] Federal Attorney-General Michelle Rowland subsequently moved a motion clarifying that assisted dying remains open for free debate across all party forums, though any resolutions do not bind party members. [1] Rowland stated personally: "I do not believe people facing end-of-life decisions should not be able to consult with healthcare practitioners face-to-face with dignity." [1] However, Cabinet minister Don Farrell expressed opposition to telehealth use in these circumstances, citing his overall opposition to voluntary assisted dying. [1]
