Dying woman urges PM to overturn 'cruel' law to save others suffering

As she prepares to end her life tomorrow using voluntary assisted dying (VAD), Sandra Sarantou, a 58-year-old Adelaide woman, has made a final plea to the Prime Minister to amend a law she deems "cruel."

Diagnosed nine weeks ago with aggressive lung cancer, the same disease that claimed her father's life, Ms. Sarantou finds her current medication ineffective against severe nerve pain, nausea, and dizziness. Having witnessed her father's prolonged and painful death before VAD was legal nationwide, she is grateful to control her own end-of-life choices.

However, Ms. Sarantou expressed shock upon learning that a provision within the Commonwealth Criminal Code effectively denies some Australians access to VAD based on their location. "It's even a struggle just to move from one end from the house to another... for those people to travel hours to possibly see a doctor and not get the chance for VAD is just horrific," she told ABC News.

While VAD is legal in all Australian jurisdictions except the Northern Territory, and some states permit telehealth for VAD discussions, a specific clause in the Commonwealth Criminal Code, originally intended to prevent incitement to suicide, has been interpreted to prohibit doctors from advising patients about VAD via phone, email, internet, or video. This has overridden state provisions, forcing patients to attend in-person appointments.

Workforce shortages in rural and remote areas mean some terminally ill individuals must travel considerable distances for these appointments. For some, this journey is impossible, leading them to miss out on VAD. Families of those who died before completing the process believe telehealth consultations could have alleviated their suffering.

Federal Independent MP Kate Chaney and Greens Senator Sarah Hanson Young are introducing private members' bills to amend the Commonwealth Criminal Code to allow telehealth for VAD consultations. The Labor party's rank and file also voted to support amending the platform to allow telehealth for end-of-life care, granting Labor MPs a conscience vote on VAD issues. However, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reportedly remains personally opposed to allowing telehealth for VAD, a stance that could be pivotal in the legislative outcome.

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It's even a struggle just to move from one end from the house to another … for those people to travel hours to possibly see a doctor and not get the chance for VAD is just horrific.