by Paul Russell: The recently released first report on the operation of Quebec's euthanasia & assisted suicide law should make everyone stop and think.Three times the expected number of deaths with 8% (n.21) non-compliance with the law. Continue reading

by Alex Schadenberg Executive Director - Euthanasia Prevention Coalition The Québec euthanasia commission has reported that during the first 7 months of the euthanasia law there were 262 reported euthanasia deaths, a number that is much higher than expected. The annual report of the commission is based on euthanasia deaths from Dec 10 to June 30, 2016.Caroline Plante reported in The Montreal Gazette that Québec's Health Minister, Gaétan Barrette, seemed surprised by the number of deaths: Continue reading

by Paul Russell: Dutch journalist, Gerbert van Loenen once observed about euthanasia in his homeland that, 'Making euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide legal started a development we did not foresee. The old limit 'thou shalt not kill' was abandoned, a new limit is yet to be found.'When we abandon the principle that the law (in this case the criminal code prohibitions on homicide) protects all of its citizens equally, as van Loenen observes, drawing a new line is arbitrary. More than that; it is likely to shift further in ways that perhaps the Dutch did not foresee but that we at least, can now reflect upon given their experiences. Continue reading

  by Paul Russell: The Shadow Disability Minister in SA simply doesn't get it. Continue reading

By Paul Russell: Last night the mover of the Voluntary Euthanasia Bill 2016, Steph Key gave a rather cryptic comment to the South Australian media about the possible adoption of their 'plan b'.It is not a stretch to observe that one only goes to a 'plan b' if 'plan a' - the existing bill, is not going to pass muster. Continue reading

by Paul Russell: Today a diverse group of disability activists assembled in the South Australian Parliament to deliver a very clear message to politicians about their concerns with the euthanasia legislation currently under debate.The Voluntary Euthanasia Bill 2016 was tabled by Steph Key MP in February this year. It is the most extreme bill of the thirteen presented thus far in the SA Parliament and would effectively make South Australia the 'Belgium of the south'. Continue reading

You have to admire those that stand against the zeitgeist and swim against the tide on a principle. Recently was saw good examples of such courage in the pages of The Australian newspaper with articles by Paul Kelly and Angela Shanahan opposing euthanasia in circumstances where the paper has taken a very clear editorial policy of support.The same can be said of Rex Jory and his article in today's Advertiser in South Australia. The Advertiser, like other newspapers, seems to have drunk from the same Koolaid; which makes Rex Jory's piece stand out all the more. Continue reading

by Paul Russell: Lives Worth Living and Not Dead Yet Australia have joined together to let the South Australian Parliament know that they strongly oppose the Voluntary Euthanasia Bill 2016 in its current and its proposed (amended) form.Writing to the parliament this week, Lives Worth Living made some keen observations: Continue reading

by Paul Russell: The Australian newspaper ran a frontpage article over the weekend showcasing the concerns of the Insurance Industry over the Voluntary Euthanasia Bill 2016. The bill is to be debated this week in the South Australian House of Assembly.Why would the Insurance Industry be concerned? Continue reading