We all deserve the choice of a voluntary assisted death
Given that for most people voluntary assisted dying is eminently sensible, it is still surprisingly difficult to have a reasoned debate about end-of-life choices.
Category: Australian
Australian News
Death Discrimination
At the World Federation Conference held in Amsterdam in May this year Dying with Dignity ACT Inc. president compared the ACT Crimes Act legislation with the ACT Human Rights Act legislation to show that the Crimes Act legislation discriminates against those people who wish to die. While it is legal to end one’s own life, the law forces people who wish to make this legal choice into hanging, gassing, drowning themselves as well as retaining the discriminatory language associated with the choice by continuing to call their choice ‘suicide’ and them ‘suicides’.
She has proposed that we need new language to discuss the choice to die. She proposes to call this choice an Elective Death and outlines in the speech following how it would work in practice to make a choice for death that would alleviate the suffering of those who make this choice and those who are forced to endure the long slow process of dying that is forced on us all by the law because politicians refuse to consider any alternative.
National Survey of Public Attitudes on End of Life Care
As a result of advances in public health and the development of lifesaving medical technology, Australians live longer than ever. Unfortunately the care received near the end of life often does not reflect a person’s values, goals and preferences. Although the majority of Australians say they would prefer to die…
Why Australia should allow the right to physician-assisted death
A very moving interview and opinion piece by Peter Short’s cousin Michael about efforts to achieve legislation to permit Physician Assisted Death in Australia. Click to watch video …
John Gayson’s story
Bernard Erica has shared his personal story of suffering on “Australian Story” this week. He is not alone. There are many Australians who face the prospect of unbearable suffering as they progress towards the end of their life, without hope or choice. John Grayson is one of them. Watch this short video about …
Euthanasia supporters plan for supreme court challenge for right to end life
Once joined in matrimony, Adele and Victor Stevens now share a garden fence on a quiet suburban street in the Woden Valley. The ageing neighbours have had their share of arguments since meeting in high school, marrying and separating, but they’re both certain of one thing. They want to control…
Assisted dying: the difficult conversation we need to have
I am a medical specialist with advanced cancer. In a career begun more than 35 years ago, I have seen death in all its guises: in homes, at the roadside, in the emergency department, intensive care, operating theatres and on hospital wards. There has been no age limit on these experiences.…
Daughters of Australian scientists who took their own lives reflect on their parents’ plan
For as long as the blue-eyed Shaw sisters can remember, they knew their parents planned to one day take their own lives.
Assisted dying: Sorting the facts from the half-truths and the misleading statements
These days it is increasingly difficult to have a reasoned and thorough public debate about government policy. So spare a thought for the members of a parliamentary committee who have to come to grips with a complex and important topic that affects all of us and is fraught with powerful…
An Argument for Assisted Dying in Australia: Andrew Denton’s Di Gribble Argument in full
At last week’s Di Gribble Argument 2015, Andrew Denton presented his case for an assisted dying law that would spare many Australians from unnecessary suffering. You can now read his speech in full – outlining his months of research and careful reasoning. Read the text of Andrew Denton’s address …
Euthanasia ban is an attack on human dignity
At the Festival of Dangerous Ideas, The Ethics Centre’s interactive art installation asked, what do you wish we could talk more about? Many people were interested in the right to die. Chris Fotinopolos believed dignified dying requires fewer restrictions on individual autonomy in end of life care. Australia’s persistent anti-euthanasia…
RIGHT TO DIE – TERMINAL ILLNESS
My husband Bryce recently passed away in the RPA hospital from incurable liver related complications. The feeling is indescribable when you hear the words, “I’m so sorry, there’s nothing more we can do.” When Bryce was lucid he calmly stated if given a choice he would choose to end his…