Euthanasia in Tasmania

The Tasmanian government has sent Greens MP Nick McKim's euthanasia bill (the Dying with Dignity Bill 2009) to the Joint Standing Committee of Community Development for an 'Inquiry'. Submissions close on 31 July 2009.

Check out our Campaign page for details of making a submission and contacting Tasmanian MPs.

Meanwhile euthanasia campaigner Philip Nitschke recently told a Perth meeting that said he thought euthanasia should be available for 'elderly people afraid of getting old and incapacitated'.

He used the example of West Australian academic Dr Lisette Nigot - she ended her life because she decided that, having reaching the age of 80, she didn't want to face having her mind and body deteriorate. [The Age, 8/7/2009]

This development is not really surprising. Some years ago, Philip Nitschke actually told the US magazine National Review Online that the 'peaceful pill' for suicide should be available to "troubled teens". [NRO, 5/6/2001]

After a public outcry he drew back to advocating euthanasia just for terminally ill elderly people. Now it seems that he is again saying what he truly believes!