This article in today's Herald Sun, by Beyond Blue chairman, The Hon Jeff Kennett AC confirms that a complaint will be made by that organisation to the Australian Medical Board. This follows confirmation yesterday that the West Australian Branch of the Australian Medical Association will do likewise.  Earlier, The Black Dog Institute suggested that they may also make a complaint, but this has not been confirmed. In all, that makes five or possibly six complaints to the medical board int he last two years including one from HOPE.Life is the greatest gift we're given Continue reading

   The recent news concerning Dr Nitschke, Exit International and the suicide death of two men in Australia who were not terminally ill has forced the Australian public to confront the issue of assisting someone to die. Continue reading

  Shortly after NZ List MP, Maryan Street introduced her now-withdrawn 'énd of Life Choices' Bill in 2012, Prime Minister John Key weighed into the debate.His comments showed, unfortunately, that he had little grasp of the issue. I commented at the time: Continue reading

In the wake of the ABC 7:30 report last week that highlighted the relationship between Dr Philip Nitschke, Exit and the suicides of two psychologically troubled Australian men, most news reports have focused on condemnation of these actions and Nitschke and Exit.  First criticism came from HOPE and two of Australia's premier suicide prevention organisations as well as critical comment from Australia's peak medical body, the AMA.The West Australian Newspaper has a story explaining that the West Australian branch of the AMA will register a complaint with the Medical Board (known as the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency or AHPRA). The article opens by quoting an AMA WA spokesperson as saying that he (Nitschke): he is a disgrace to their profession and could undo years of work by suicide prevention groups. Continue reading

So-called 'rational suicide' is an oxymoron. Two of Australia's most well known and effective suicide prevention organisations today condemned the actions of Dr Philip Nitschke in supporting the suicide death of a healthy 45 year old Australian man a few months ago.  Continue reading

The Australian ABC TV network is running a story about two men who separately suicided using Exit International's methods. Both were in contact with Exit. Neither were terminally ill. Neither had reached Exit's arbitrary age of 50 years. This confirms what Dr Nitschke has always maintained, that suicide should be available to any adult. This formula usually adds: 'of sound mind'. But these two cases burst the bubble of that myth wide open.Nigel Brayley was 45 years old and not only had met Dr Nitschke in Perth but had also corresponded with him by email. ABC reporter Caitlin Gribbin confronted Nitschke with the text of some of these emails where Brayley confirmed that he was not 50 years of age, not terminally ill but planned to suicide within two weeks. Continue reading

This article by Oregonian doctor, William Toffler MD explains what has happened in Oregon since it allowed assisted suicide. From the Montanans Against Assisted Suicide website. What People Mean When They Say They Want to Dieby William Toffler, MD Continue reading

Wesley Smith explains the hypocrisy in the argument for a right to die. GG Bridge Suicide Barrier Violates Right to DeathBy Wesley J. SmithWe are told continually by the "right to die" crowd that suicide/euthanasia is the "ultimate civil liberty." Indeed, these purveyors of suicide argue that we all of the RIGHT to determine the time, manner, method, and place of death. Continue reading

This post form the Total Refusal of Euthanasia Blogsite: Four palliative care providers exclude medical aid in dyingFour Quebec residences, including Maison Michel Sarrazin (first of its kind in Canada), have so far officially said they would not practice "medical aid in dying". Continue reading

  There's been a great deal of media around Senator Di Natale's talk of a national euthanasia law. That's understandable: it is the first of its kind and will clearly generate significant debate.The Senator calls his bill an 'exposure draft' bill. He hasn't introduced it into the Senate - he has simply asked the chamber to refer the bill to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee for an inquiry. Continue reading