Hospitals and aged care facilities that do not want to provide voluntary assisted dying need to be provided with exemptions by law should a bill to legalise the process be passed through Parliament.
A University of Tasmania review of the bill from Mersey independent MLC Mike Gaffney noted that it was silent on the issue of organisational non-participation as there was no requirement under the legislation for organisations or individuals to offer VAD services.
The panel said this was one of the most complex parts of the review.
"No organisation or entity should be compelled to participate in or provide VAD even though non-participation limits access, may compromise therapeutic relationships and, where transfers are required, may exacerbate suffering," it said.
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Catholic Health Australia chief executive Pat Garcia said people wanted a choice between facilities that offered voluntary assisted dying and facilities that never would.
It said if Parliament was determined to pass the bill, organisational non-participation needed to be enshrined in the act.
Premier Peter Gutwein issued a press release on Monday on the report which was shortly followed by one from government minister Michael Ferguson, an opponent of the bill, who used findings in the report to point out the bill's shortcomings.
Another government minister, Elise Archer, issued a release on Tuesday about the report.
She said agency advice on the bill had revealed telehealth consultation on voluntary assisted dying conflicted with Commonwealth law.
"I will continue to consider the agencies' advice as well as the UTAS report over coming days, but the 139 risks raised by the agencies alone are enough to cause great concern, especially given the limited time available before this bill is before the House of Assembly next week," Ms Archer said.
Labor's health spokesperson Bastian Seidel said Ms Archer and Mr Ferguson had openly undermined the Premier.
"The fact is this is the safest bill in Australia but senior ministers who are personally opposed to it are now engaged in a bizarre and unnecessary war of press releases," he said.
"The former leadership rivals Ms Archer and Mr Ferguson have joined forces in trying to tear down a sound bill."
Mr Gaffney said said he was privileged to have had the assistance of national and international experts in drafting the bill.
He said the review provided House of Assembly members with assurance that the bill should proceed.
"I remain enthusiastic and motivated towards seeing voluntary assisted dying become legal for eligible Tasmanians who may wish to end their suffering at a time, place and manner of their choosing, surrounded by loved ones as it should be," Mr Gaffney said.
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Political reporter for Australian Community Media, based in Hobart.
Political reporter for Australian Community Media, based in Hobart.
