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…
I grew up in Canberra and although I no longer reside there, half my family still do. My story is long, tumultuous and complex but one thing has been the same and consistent for over 30 years-unmanaged, untreated, usually unbelieved and inoperable chronic pain and suffering. Recently I applied overseas…
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 …
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…
The day he was to die, Vernon Gearhard had breakfast with Fran, his wife of 57 years, their three children and their spouses. He listened to some of his favorite music – classical pianist Johannes Brahms and opera singer Kathleen Battle – and around noon, he and Fran sat on…
Friday the California legislature passed a bill to allow assisted suicide that, with Gov. Jerry Brown’s signature, would make the country’s most populous state the fifth to allow terminally ill residents to end their life. Rep. Lois Court, a Denver Democrat, aims to make Colorado the sixth. Court and fellow…
MPs have rejected plans for a right to die in England and Wales in their first vote on the issue in almost 20 years. In a free vote in the Commons, 118 MPs were in favour and 330 against plans to allow some terminally ill adults to end their lives…
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…
The state Assembly approved legislation Wednesday that would allow terminally ill patients to legally end their lives after an emotional and deeply personal debate, sending the proposal to the Senate that is expected to endorse it. It was the second effort by California lawmakers this year to allow doctors to…
Paralympic world champion Tanni Grey-Thompson discusses the arguments for and against assisted dying with two doctors on this CNN video.
In his latest column, Dr. David Amies examines the case of Gill Pharaoh, a 75-year-old British former nurse who travelled to Switzerland to access assisted dying, despite being in fine health. Her case has sparked controversy in the U.K., where an assisted dying bill is set to be debated in…
Although I live outside Victoria, my extended family all live there so I visit regularly. When my chronically-ill mother was dying at her home in Victoria in 1995, her last words, in appalling pain, were “please make it quick”. But it was another two hours before she was able to…
