On the eve of the opening in Australia of the movie Me Before You, Melbourne based disability activist, Jax Jacki Brown has written on Junkee.com to express her concerns about the negative disability tropes exploited by the movie. She joins disability advocates across the globe criticising Me Before You through articles and demonstrations that have followed the film's opening across the English-speaking world."On the eve of the Australian release of Me Before You, the final touches are being applied to t-shirts, banners and coffin-shaped tissue boxes by many people with disabilities across Australia. The film, which has been courting controversy in the US and the UK, is set to be subject to protests here too. I am preparing to wear my t-shirt proudly to the Melbourne protest with its slogan "Disabled lives are worth living!", as I hand out flyers proclaiming "our lives are not a tragedy!"" Continue reading

by Paul Russell: It is perhaps inevitable, in the push for euthanasia and or assisted suicide, that there will be those who find themselves disappointed with the outcome; people who will have wanted a broader application as a starting point than that which they find presented to parliament.Such is the expression of disappointment of the daughter of Peter and Pat Shaw who committed suicide in 2015. Mr and Mrs Shaw were not terminally ill but simply experiencing life changes that come with aging. This week, Anny Shaw told The Age newspaper that, "the committee's recommendation is a step in the right direction but the most conservative of possible options. Continue reading

"vulnerable people�the elderly, lonely, sick or distressed�would feel pressure, whether real or imagined, to request early death" House of Lords. By Paul Russell: The Legal and Social Issues Committee of the Victorian Parliament handed down its Report into End-of-Life choices in Victoria today. Continue reading

By Paul Russell: The Age newspaper reports barely a week before the Victorian Parliament's Report into 'end-of-life' choices that it expects the committee to recommend some form of legislative change. A form of assisted suicide is widely rumoured.Whether this suggestion is taken up by the government or by a backbencher as a private member's bill is yet to be seen. Continue reading

Alex Schadenberg Executive Director - Euthanasia Prevention Coalition Ed: The Canadian experience is unique in the world. Long before the legislative debate and even now forces are jockeying to make the bill as braod as possible; to start at least at the point where Belgium is now.In February 2015, the Supreme Court of Canada struck down Canada's assisted suicide laws and used language to allow for the legalization of euthanasia. In their decision, the Supreme Court ordered parliament to legislate on the issues of euthanasia and assisted suicide. Continue reading

by Paul Russell: The Victorian Parliament's Committee looking into end-of-life issues is due to table a report into its 10 month investigation at the end of this month. Time will tell whether or not they have given appropriate weight to the many excellent submissions from professionals and professional organisations working in palliative medicine. I have my doubts.Recent press from Victoria suggests that the report will recommend some form of 'assisted dying', whatever that means. Continue reading

Frank Brennan (first published in Eureka Street and republished here with permission) On 9 June 2016, California will complete the west coast coverage of laws in the USA permitting physician assisted suicide for any mentally competent adult who is suffering 'an incurable and irreversible disease that has been medically confirmed' and which will 'within reasonable medical judgment, result in death within six months'.A new Canadian law will also come into effect on 6 June allowing any mentally competent adult who is suffering 'any grievous and irremediable medical condition' to seek assistance from a doctor with the preparation of a noxious potion. Under the Canadian law, the patient must have 'a serious and incurable illness, disease or disability', and be 'in an advanced state of irreversible decline in capability'. Continue reading

By Paul Russell: Philip Nitschke is surprised and dismayed that British Police tried to stop a retired English professor from committing suicide at her home near of Exeter in the UK recently.When Police attended the home of Dr Avril Henry after Interpol had informed them that they believed that an illegal import of the drug nembutal had been delivered to the premises and that Dr Henry was suicidal, they forced entry by smashing down the front door. Continue reading

by Paul Russell: It seems that it isn't enough to provide people with information on how to get an illegal euthanasia drug sent to people from overseas; now Philip Nitschke and Exit want to provide tests so that people will know that what came in the mail will 'do the job'.News reports about Exit's meeting in Canberra, Australia seem to suggest that this is something new. I suppose there has to be a hook here; a reason for the article. The reality is that Nitschke has been doing this now for sometime. If there's a twist it is that the article talks about learning to test the drug at home whereas previously Nitschke had testing apparatus in the back of a small van. Continue reading