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Handbook of the South Australian Voluntary Euthanasia Society (SAVES)
THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE: THE CASE FOR LEGALISING VOLUNTARY EUTHANASIA
APPENDIX B
The South Australian Voluntary Euthanasia Society, Inc. (SAVES)
SAVES was formed in November 1983 and is a member of the World Federation
of Right to Die Societies. There are Societies in every State of Australia.
The first Australian Societies were formed in Victoria and NSW in 1974.
The aims of the Australian Societies are very much the same. The reforms
sought are a matter for the individual States and the law differs in some
respects between States. The Societies therefore tend to operate independently
although consultation between Societies occurs frequently.
Membership of SAVES has increased steadily since its formation and is
currently near 1000. It is drawn from people of widely different economic,
political, cultural and religious backgrounds. Membership is open to adults
who agree with the Society's objectives.
SAVES' primary objective is a change in the law so that, in defined
circumstances and with appropriate safeguards, voluntary euthanasia becomes
a legitimate part of medical practice. The legal requirements and professional
guidelines envisaged are given in Appendix A. Since this will take some
time to achieve in full SAVES has a number of subsidiary objectives. These
include raising community awareness; correcting misunderstanding and misinformation;
engaging in discussion with the health care and legal professions; informing
members of their rights regarding end of life health care under current
legislation; and lobbying politicians and other persons of influence.
SAVES publishes a newsletter, The VE Bulletin, three times a
year, which keeps members in touch with the VE movement world-wide and
locally. It also publishes a range of free pamphlets and other material
on aspects of voluntary euthanasia, most of which are available on the
SAVES Internet pages. These publications are available at the general meetings
of the Society as announced in the VE Bulletin and on application to the
Hon. Secretary. General meetings of the Society are open to the public.
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contents
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