$275m for care needed, says KAP

KATTER’S Australian Party leader Robbie Katter attempted to stall the state government’s voluntary assisted dying laws in a bid to secure further funding for palliative care.

The Traeger MP, who is opposed to voluntary assisted dying, has been outspoken against the legislation which was formally introduced into parliament on Tuesday.

Mr Katter (pictured) dropped his amendment, which would delay any further progress on the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2021 until the Australian Medical Association’s and Palliative Care Queensland’s request for an additional $275m in annual funding was provided, while speaking to the proposed laws in parliament.

He moved that the Bill not be considered until after the state government was committed to provide the additional funding every year to palliative care delivery.

Mr Katter said VAD had clearly become an issue of the “haves” and the “have nots”.

He said it was shameful the Bill’s supporters suggested it was about providing choice, when there was so little choice for Queenslanders who wanted access to end-of-life care.

“(The laws are) not just about people’s choice, it’s about health inequity and where you live in Queensland,” Mr Katter said.

The LNP and One Nation supported the amendment but it was defeated 53 to 37.

“Today’s amendment by the KAP was not about whether you support VAD or not,” Mr Katter said. “It was about acknowledging that palliative care is not adequately funded or of a standard that is equitable across the state.”

Debate on VAD laws will continue on Wednesday.