澳大利亚工党全国代表大会通过了一项修正案，支持在自愿协助死亡（VAD）护理中使用远程医疗，但总理安东尼·阿尔巴尼斯对此表示反对[1]。阿尔巴尼斯表示"我是自愿安乐死的支持者，但重要的是要在其周围采取保护措施"[1]，主张保持面对面咨询的要求。这一立场与工党党代大会的决议产生了分歧，引发政府内部关于临床保障措施和是否尊重党代大会决议的争议[1]。
现行法律对远程医疗在VAD中的应用构成了主要障碍[1]。2023年联邦法院裁定VAD属于自杀定义，认定远程医疗咨询违反法律[1]。这一限制源于2005年的刑法条款，其原意是防止互联网自杀相关信息传播[1]。跨党派议员凯特·切尼计划在议会下周二（8月6日）要求中止常规程序提交私人议案，以修改相关刑法禁令[1]。绿党参议员萨拉·汉森-杨也将在参议院提交私人议案[1]。
政府可能会阻止切尼议案进行投票[1]。尽管工党议员将获得良心投票的机会，但程序投票仍受党纪约束[1]。
Australia's Labor Party national conference has endorsed the use of telehealth in voluntary assisted dying (VAD) care, putting pressure on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who has publicly opposed the measure.[1] The party's only contentious resolution passed with support for enabling remote medical consultations in VAD procedures.[1]
Cross-party MP Kate Cheney has tabled a private bill seeking to amend criminal law provisions that currently prohibit telehealth consultations for VAD.[1] Cheney intends to move for suspension of standing orders in parliament on Tuesday, August 6, to introduce the legislation.[1] A 2023 federal court ruling determined that VAD falls within the legal definition of suicide, making telehealth consultations non-compliant with existing law, which originated in 2005 with the intention of preventing the spread of internet-based suicide-related information.[1] Green Party Senator Sarah Hanson-Young will also lodge a private bill on the same issue in the Senate.[1]
Albanese has stated his position clearly: "I am a supporter of voluntary euthanasia, but what is important is that there are protections around it."[1] He has advocated for face-to-face consultations as the appropriate safeguard.[1] Labor MPs will be granted a conscience vote on the bill, though procedural votes will remain subject to party discipline.[1] The government is expected to attempt to block the measure from being put to a vote.[1]