Organ donation is a medical practice that is almost universally supported as a public good in and of itself. It allows a very sick person whose own organs are failing to be given a second chance at life, through the donation of organs from the body of a person who is recently deceased. Continue reading

The potential euthanasia death of a 23-year old woman in Belgium who is physically healthy but suffering from mental health demonstrates the risks of doctors being able to initiate conversations about euthanasia and assisted suicide with their patients. Continue reading

The “independent” chair of the Ministerial Expert Panel on Voluntary Assisted Dying in Western Australia and a number of the other members of the Panel appear to have turned from ministerial advisors to euthanasia lobbyists as the WA Parliament continues its debate over euthanasia and assisted suicide. Continue reading

Late July the QLD Labor party passed a motion at their state conference: Continue reading

A new, scathing report on the risks of assisted suicide laws to people with disabilities has been released by the National Council on Disability (NCD) in the United States. Continue reading

While the suggestion that specialised “kill clinics” should be established to implement the government’s proposed euthanasia regime might sound shocking, their creation would be entirely consistent with the Bill currently before the WA Legislative Council, as well as the experience in overseas jurisdictions where euthanasia and assisted suicide have been legalised. Continue reading

Jonathan Marchand has had a form of muscular dystrophy since he was 15. He is now in his 40s and on a ventilator. Continue reading

“First Australians live shorter lives. Their babies are likelier to die of preventable diseases. They watch their friends, cousins and siblings prematurely end their own lives. They have had their hearts broken too often when there is a “death in custody” because of misjudgement, prejudice or ignorance as their culture faces power and authority. One simply cannot bear witness to this reality — where First Nations are overrepresented at every stage of our health and criminal justice systems — and put forward another avenue to death.” Continue reading

A survey of more than 1500 medical practitioners conducted by the WA branch of the AMA has found that doctors are very concerned about the lack of safeguards in the WA euthanasia bill, and in particular, about the lack of equitable access to palliative care across the state. Continue reading

WA’s Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2019 passed the state’s lower house with an overwhelming majority of 45/11 on Tuesday 24 September. Continue reading