19 August, 2026
The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (14:50): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question without notice to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development on the topic of regional access to end-of-life care.
Leave granted.
The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: Last week, Sandra Sarantou accessed voluntary assisted dying as part of her end-of-life care, following a short battle with an aggressive form of lung cancer. In her last few weeks, she spoke openly about her experience and was grateful to be ending her life on her terms. However, she was shocked to learn a provision in the Commonwealth Criminal Code means that some Australians are effectively denied access because of where they live. Many South Australians living in rural, regional and remote areas must travel hundreds of kilometres to access voluntary assisted dying, people who are struggling to move, who live in pain and, in a lot of cases, are too ill to travel or to live independently.
My question to the Minister for Regional Development is: is the minister concerned that South Australians living in the regions are missing out on this vital service and will she or her colleagues be advocating for reform in the federal parliament?
The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:51): I will refer this matter to the Minister for Health in the other place and am happy to bring back a response.