SAVES is not affiliated with Exit International / Dr Philip Nitschke and opposes the public availability of a 'peaceful pill'.

The November 2002 VE Bulletin reported that the latest Morgan Research Poll on public support for voluntary euthanasia was undertaken in June 2002. The report was commissioned by VESV and funded by VESV and VE NSW. The surveys were conducted in Vic, NSW and SA. Specific questions and responses follow for South Australia:

Question 1

'If a hopelessly ill patient, experiencing unrelievable suffering, with absolutely no chance of recovering asks for a lethal dose, should a doctor be allowed to give a lethal dose or not?'

Affirmative responses by nominated religious groupings included 81% Anglican, 69% Catholic, 66% Presbyterian, 74% Uniting Church, 87% Methodist, 68% Baptist and 78% Lutheran.

Question 2

'It is not against the law to commit suicide. However it is an offence to assist a suicide. In your opinion, should the law be changed to allow a hopelessly ill person experiencing unrelievable suffering to obtain assistance from a doctor to commit suicide or not

Affirmative responses by nominated religious groupings included 73% Anglican, 68% Catholic, 66% Presbyterian, 64% Uniting Church, 62% Methodist, 68% Baptist and 78% Lutheran.

Question 3

'When a person who is hopelessly ill commits suicide, because of unrelievable suffering, anyone who is present may be found guilty of assisting a suicide even if they do nothing to help. In your opinion, should the law be changed so that it is no longer an offence to be present at a suicide?'

Affirmative responses by nominated religious groupings included 73% Anglican, 81% Catholic, 100% Presbyterian, 81% Uniting Church, 74% Methodist, 68% Baptist and 66% Lutheran.

Question 4

'Palliative care is the care provided to terminally ill patients to keep them as comfortable and pain-free as possible. Do you think that palliative care is sufficient, or do you think terminally ill patients should be allowed to request a lethal dose at the time of their choosing?'

Affirmative responses by nominated religious grouping on the question of whether palliative care is sufficient included 19% Anglican, 28% Catholic, 50% Presbyterian, 33% Uniting Church, 13% Methodist, 71% Baptist and 43% Lutheran.

Question 5

'Have you yourself had personal experience where a close relative or friend was hopelessly ill and wanted voluntary euthanasia?'

This poll reiterates the overwhelming support in the community for legislative reform.

The SA Voluntary Euthanasia Society gratefully acknowledges the financial support provided by the VE Societies of Victoria and New South Wales in commissioning this important survey.