Newspaper Media
November 18, 2018
WA government to consider Victorian laws when forming right-to-die legislation
WA government to consider Victorian laws when forming right-to-die legislation, AAP
The West Australian government says it will take a close look at Victoria’s voluntary assisted dying laws in forming its right-to-die legislation. The McGowan government plans to introduce the bill, drafted by an 11-member expert panel chaired by former WA governor Malcolm McCusker, next year. It follows a parliamentary committee that received about 700 submissions […]
November 11, 2018
Euthanasia Pioneer Nitschke warns of ‘beg and grovel’ legislation
Thomas Manch, The Dominion Post
A proposed law to allow voluntary death for the terminally ill has been labelled “beg and grovel” legislation by euthanasia pioneer Dr Philip Nitschke. The first doctor to administer euthanasia, Nitschke is holding public talks and instructional workshops on the subject with his pro-euthanasia group Exit International this week. On Thursday, about 30 members gathered in a meeting room behind St Andrew’s church […]
August 28, 2018
Right to death should be personal choice, say Exit members
Not many people have seen what Jan Clifford has when it comes to terrible deaths. During her 30-year career as a physiotherapist in intensive care, she saw hundreds of people die in ways they never would have wanted, given the choice. Now that she’s nearing 70, Ms Clifford said it become even more important to […]
May 4, 2018
NYT: Why David Goodall, 104, Renowned Australian Scientist, Wants to Die
Yonette Joseph, New York Times
David Goodall, 104, who is believed to be Australia’s oldest scientist, wants to die. But he can’t do it in his own country, where assisted suicide is banned. So on Wednesday, he took what was expected to be his last flight, bound for Europe, to accomplish his goal — and renewed a debate in Australia […]
April 24, 2018
Is extreme old age a terminal condition?
Martin Hansen, The Gisborne Herald
David Seymour’s End of Life Choice bill, now before Parliament, is similar to legislation and proposed legislation in other countries in that it is restricted to those who wish to die because they are terminally ill or are enduring unbearable suffering that cannot be relieved by palliative care. In this context it’s relevant to consider […]
April 19, 2018
Suicide machine controlled by blink of eye sparks euthanasia debate
Anthony Cuthbertson, The Independent
Opponents of euthanasia have expressed concern at the creation of a “suicide machine”, which has been developed by Dr Philip Nitschke. The well-known advocate of individuals’ right to die has regularly caused controversy by assisting what he calls “rational suicides”. Having developed machines in the past that could be used by individuals to inject themselves with […]
April 16, 2018
WASH POST: Nitschke’s ‘suicide machine’ draws crowds at Amsterdam funeral fair
The Washington Post, Amanda Erickson
A controversial suicide pod that enables its occupant to kill themselves at the press of a button went on display at an Amsterdam funeral show on Saturday. Called the “Sarco”, short for sarcophagus, the 3D-printed machine invented by Australian euthanasia activist Philip Nitschke and Dutch designer Alexander Bannink comes with a detachable coffin, mounted on […]
February 24, 2018
Susan Austen trial verdict: not guilty of aiding suicide
The Dominion Post, Court Reporter
At the High Court in Wellington yesterday, Austen’s supporters gave a collective gasp of relief as she was found not guilty of aiding Treadwell’s suicide. Austen herself later said she had been in awe when she heard the verdict. READ MORE: * Annemarie Treadwell’s plea * Jury told to put aside views on assisted dying * […]
February 24, 2018
Susan Austen not guilty of assisting suicide
Wellington woman Susan Austen has been found not guilty of assisting suicide. A jury has just delivered the verdict at the High Court in Wellington where she’s been standing trial over the past two weeks. She has also been found not guilty on a representative charge of importing the Class C drug pentobarbitone. However she […]
February 21, 2018
Checkpoint after Exit meeting to check elderly attendees were okay, court told
The Dominion Post, Court Reporter
Police set up a checkpoint to identify people leaving a pro-euthanasia group meeting to make sure they were okay, a jury has been told. A police officer’s evidence about the checkpoint was greeted with laughter from the public gallery at the High Court trial in Wellington of Susan Dale Austen, 67, who is charged with aiding […]