Many terminally ill Australians, especially those in remote and regional areas, cannot access voluntary assisted dying (VAD) because of the “telehealth problem”.

Medical practitioners are fearful of using telehealth to discuss VAD as an option because federal laws make it a crime to use a carriage service to “counsel or incite committing or attempting to commit suicide”.

But we all know VAD is completely different from suicide!

Now, we have a chance to call on the federal parliament to fix this problem.

Independent MP Kate Chaney has introduced a private member’s bill into the House of Representatives, proposing a change to the Criminal Code to make it clear that VAD is not suicide.

I’m urging you to take a few minutes of your time to send a message to your local federal MP urging them to support this proposed reform in parliament.

You can find the contact details for your local member here on the parliament’s website.

Or you could use the online form shared by Chaney for generating an email to your MP.

With all of the states now having introduced VAD laws, the telehealth problem remains one of the last major barriers to fair and equitable access to VAD.

For more background information, visit our campaign page on our website and view all of our most recent reporting on the issue at the bottom of that page.

Your help with this could make a big impact.

If you or anyone you know needs help:

• Lifeline on 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636
• Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467

In solidarity,