Newspaper Media
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 […]
February 17, 2018
Susan Austen trial: Police bugs recorded Exit meeting at suspect’s home
Police audio bugs recorded a meeting of the Wellington branch of pro-euthanasia group Exit International, a jury has heard. Police had a High Court judge’s permission to bug the phone calls and home of branch chairwoman, Susan Austen. Austen had emphasised confidentiality as the October 2, 2016, meeting had begun. Austen, 67, has pleaded not guilty to […]
February 4, 2018
Last Exit to Lismore: People planning Death over Retirement
Marea Donnelly, The Daily Telegraph
After playing “executioner” in Darwin 20 years ago, euthanasia advocate and Exit International founder Philip Nitschke dreams of the day when pensioners can store a death dose of barbiturates alongside their blood pressure medication. This afternoon up to 300 Baby Boomers will join Nitschke at Lismore Workers Club to learn what Australian laws they have […]