Australia prevents telehealth for voluntary assisted dying consults. Why, and could that change?

Australia is now the only country with legislation that prevents telehealth VAD consultations. Photograph: omphoto/Alamy

Almost three years ago, independent MP Kate Chaney pushed to amend federal laws that ban telecommunications services from being used to incite suicide, so that patients wishing to access voluntary assisted dying appointments could do so via telehealth.

It went nowhere, with the bill lapsing.