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

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

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

Former Prime Minister weighs into euthanasia debate. by Paul Russell: Bob Hawke was an Australian Prime Minister from 1983 to 1991 and remains the longest-serving Labor Prime Minister since Federation. His achievements are either overshadowed - or perhaps contextualized - by his 'knockabout Ocker' persona epitomised in his world-record downing of a yard of beer in 11 seconds while at university in Oxford. 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

Georgia Blain is a novelist. She also has a regular column in The Saturday Paper under the title: The Unwelcome Guest; a monthly column about her own struggle with brain cancer. In the March 26th edition, she talks candidly about the difficulties supporting her mother, famous Australian journalist, broadcaster and author, Anne Deveson (pictured below) who was diagnosed with Alzheimers in 2014 in the context of her own diagnosis and thinking about euthanasia. She opens by posing the question: Euthanasia is often described as a caring act, but should the ongoing needs of the dying take precedence?She begins to unpack her answer by reflecting on her mother and her thinking on the issue: Continue reading

by Paul Russell: Yesterday (31st March) Australia's Federal Health Minister, Sussan Ley MP confirmed that she does not support euthanasia.Ms Ley was speaking at an event in Brisbane Australia organised by the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA). Continue reading