The national newspaper, , ran an article today calling for a national hotline to be set up to deal with the problem of  Continue reading

On the 26th of November, the Australian   (ASB) dismissed complaints against Exit International's billboard advertising campaign that ran in Sydney.Advertising Standards Bureau Continue reading

Readers may recall the eleventh hour intervention by the South Australian Health Minister, John Hill the day before the euthanasia debate that raised serious doubts about the Parnell Bill.  How this affected the outcome of the debate the next day is anybody's guess â�� but it was certainly a welcome statement that supported our observations.  That same day, however, Mr Hill circulated a draft bill which, we understand, may be tabled in the parliament in the New Year. Mr Hill's alternative is very different in approach to the legislative frameworks adopted by pro-euthanasia MPs over recent years.  We've had bills designed to create stand alone acts and bills that amend existing acts of the SA Parliament but, to my knowledge we have never seen a euthanasia and assisted suicide bill that restricts itself entirely to amending the SA Criminal Code (the Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935, to be precise).The Hill 'Kill Bill' creates a legal defence against an act of euthanasia or assisting in a suicide for a medical practitioner or for another person who aids a medical practitioner in an act of euthanasia or assisted suicide within Division 1 (homicide) Subsection 13 (manslaughter) of the Act. Continue reading

At the same time as the Scottish Parliament was about to throw Margo MacDonald's euthanasia bill out into the cold, a disturbing report from Aberdeenshire Council suggests that there are up to 100 reports each month of vulnerable adults being abused. This abuse mostly affects those with a disability, mental or other illness.It is simply not true to assume that the disadvantaged and vulnerable have the same protection of the law and knowledge of and ability to claim their rights as others in the community.  Consequently, it can never be claimed that access to euthanasia and assisted suicide by the disabled is about a level playing field. Continue reading

  This flies in the face of claims that Bob Brown's bill in the Senate is solely about restoring the Territory's rights.  Clearly, should Brown's bill be successful, there will be an immediate push for a new euthanasia bill in the NT's single-cameral parliament.In an attempt to defray such criticisms, the  Continue reading

  The bill, which bore some striking similarities to the South Australian model of MPs Parnell and Key, was the subject of an organised and intense lobbying campaign which included postcard drops to letter boxes across Scotland.MacDonald criticized the content of this literature claiming it 'caused alarm among frail, elderly and disabled people' and referring to it as a 'catalogue of linguistic contortions'.  If recent experiences in Australia are anything to go by, I'd be fairly confident that MacDonald's opponents might make the same observations. Continue reading

  Both the more serious smear attempt and this one prove to me the effectiveness of the HOPE network.My reply to the editor was not published. Shared here for your enjoyment: Continue reading

Last evening (24th November) the South Australian Parliament's upper house debated the latest euthanasia bill from Greens MLC, Mark Parnell. At the State Election in March of this year changes in personnel in the upper house appeared to have turned that chamber decidedly pro-euthanasia.  However, last night common sense prevailed yet again as the bill was defeated at the second reading 'on the voices'.Mr. Parnell did not call for a recording of the votes.  However, from the speeches given, it was clear that the chamber was split 12 to 9 against the bill or possibly 13 to 8 at best. Continue reading

Twists and turns: At the eleventh hour in the SA euthanasia debates the Health Minister the Hon John Hill MP has entered the fray today claiming that the Parnell/Key model of legislation is "flawed", "clunky", "bureaucratic" and difficult to implement. Clearly favouring a different model that would provide an exception under the Criminal code to protect doctors from prosecution for an act of euthanasia, Minister Hill nevertheless, has expressed significant reservations about the Parnell/Key model.The Parnell Bill is due for debate on the 24th of November.  Parnell's earlier bill that was rejected last year was also exposed for its errors during the debate last year.  For instance, that bill would have allowed dentists to kill people! Continue reading

  Last evening (24th November) the South Australian Parliament's upper house debated the latest euthanasia bill from Greens MLC, Mark Parnell.At the State Election in March of this year changes in personnel in the upper house appeared to have turned that chamber decidedly pro-euthanasia.  However, last night common sense prevailed yet again as the bill was defeated at the second reading 'on the voices'. Continue reading