Legislation to remove a ban on doctors discussing voluntary assisted dying with patients during telehealth consultations will be introduced into federal Parliament.

Independent Kate Chaney has confirmed she will introduce a private member’s bill early next year.

It is in response to a Federal Court of Australia ruling last month that voluntary assisted dying (VAD) meets the dictionary definition of suicide, with the implication that telehealth consults regarding VAD could be considered an incitement to suicide.

The court’s decision clarified that doctors would therefore be breaking the national Criminal Code Act and risking a $200,000 fine if they responded to any patient query about VAD via telehealth or email.