KAP Leader Robbie Katter says regional Queenslanders chose VAD over costly medical travel

Regional North Queenslanders with terminal medical conditions are choosing to die in their community “rather than undertake unaffordable travel to major centres”, KAP says.

The Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) Leader and Member for Traeger, Robbie Katter has welcomed minor adjustments to the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme but has lashed out saying that people are choosing to die in their community rather than undertake unaffordable travel to major centres. Picture: Richard Walker

Regional North Queenslanders with terminal medical conditions are choosing to die in their community “rather than undertake unaffordable travel to major centres”, Katter’s Australian Party says.

KAP Leader Robbie Katter on Wednesday lashed out at “minor” government adjustments to the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme.

The Traeger MP said that in the January to March 2024 quarter, 50 per cent of all Voluntary Assisted Dying deaths in Queensland were in regional, rural or remote parts of the state.

“It’s absolutely gut wrenching to see people in pain and at their wit’s end coming to my office, or when I’m out and about, saying that they can’t afford to go to Townsville or Brisbane for care that they need, and that they’d prefer to die at home among family and friends,” he said.

“While I welcome the change in policy, long called for by the KAP, that means patients don’t have to fund four days on their own, it’s really just tinkering around the edges.”

Queensland Health Minister Shannon Fentiman says she is proud of the Miles Government’s record in breaking down barriers to healthcare for Queenslanders. Picture: Liam Kidston

Premier Steven Miles announced on Monday that the government was removing the PTSS’s four-night rule allowing patients to access a $70 per night accommodation subsidy earlier.

The government also raised the travel allowance from 4 to 34 cents a kilometre.

Mr Katter said the changes didn’t go anywhere near far enough.

“You try and go find a room in Townsville that only costs $70 – and don’t even bother in Brisbane,” he said.

“And the Queensland government are trying to come off as generous by raising the travel by 4c to 34 cents per kilometre – well the ATO’s guidelines say it should be 88c per kilometre.”

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman has been contacted for comment.

The PTSS provides financial support to subsidise the costs of accommodation and transport for more than 95,000 Queenslanders each year.

Mr Katter said both the Labor government and LNP opposition were out of touch with North Queensland and “the tyranny of distance we often face”.

He said that as the “real opposition in North Queensland”, the party had campaigned for an accommodation subsidy of $120 and mileage of at least 60 cents per kilometre.

“We don’t expect fully equipped facilities in every town across the North West, however we do demand equitable access to the places where those facilities do exist.”

Mr Katter said North Queenslanders should not be fooled.

“The government in Brisbane is not being extra generous with these changes – they are heartlessly forcing patients to choose between voluntary assisted dying and spending money they don’t have to get the proper care, thousands of kilometres away,” he said.

“We deserve better.”

Originally published as KAP Leader Robbie Katter says regional Queenslanders chose VAD over costly medical travel