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

SAVES President Frances Coombe warmly welcomed members and guests, extending a special welcome to Maree Day as a new committee member. Frances reported that the Dignity in Dying Bill is currently adjourned pending the 2006 state election, and that the 2005 Shirley Nolan Day was an important event, albeit with a disappointing attendance. She reminded members and supporters that T Shirts are now available from SAVES in red and navy blue for $15 (plus postage) with the SAVES logo and the words ‘Voluntary euthanasia, my life, my choice.’

Frances quoted parts of the dissenting speech by former Democrats Senator, Brian Greig, in respect of the Criminal Code Amendment (Suicide Related Material Offences) Act 2005. Mr Greig stated that the Act was ‘absurd’, and that:

It represents another triumph by the Religious Right which continues to press the government on conservative and symbolic reforms that have little or no impact on reality. This bill illustrates the way in which the Coalition continues to politically gesture to the more extreme church groups, and how Labor has not learnt its lesson in trying to copy the government in this regard, and trying to corral the same voting base. This bill is a victory of style over substance, of superstition over reason, and of ignorance over education. The bill is a fool’s illusion, because it does not achieve the outcome it claims to provide for. This bill is not about suicide. It does not address the causes of suicide or even pretend to address them. At its heart this bill is nothing less than the Religious Right attempting to shut down and censor voluntary euthanasia support and discussion groups in the broader community. And their push for this bill is all about laundering of religious beliefs into a secular argument, hiding church from state, and translating their personal religious views into public policy and then imposing them on all citizens ...

Frances noted that Mr Greig had made the important point that the bill does not have international reach, and as the internet is an international medium, it is ‘like removing a grain of sand from a beach and claiming that there is now a noticeable difference’.

Frances also spoke of SAVES’ decision to initiate correspondence with the Palliative Care Council, and how over the past 23 years SAVES has always worked hard to promote palliative care:

In particular I think I can safely say that our society is one of the strongest promoters of advance health care directives as we always distribute information about these when we give talks to community groups, and that one of our pamphlets acknowledges the importance of palliative care and hospice as concepts of care. SAVES also has palliative care specialist as speakers at general meetings to inform people about the services that are available to them in time of need.

Frances reminded the audience that both the Palliative Care Council and SAVES have a shared interest in dignified dying, compassion for suffering, and concern for quality of life. Above all, we share a deep commitment to patient autonomy, to giving patients what they recognise as good for them, rather than requiring them to live (and die) as seems good to others.

She stated that considering the commonalities between the two organizations SAVES feels aggrieved by our exclusion from the 8th Australian Palliative Care Conference, particularly because the theme of the conference was ‘Palliative Care: Challenges and Dilemmas’. We were made welcome at the very first conference in Adelaide, when we offered our poster display. SAVES always looks optimistically to a future that will see a working together in advocating for all suffering people.

Frances also spoke about international issues relating to voluntary euthanasia, and these are covered separately in this edition. She then welcomed Emeritus Professor Graham Nerlich as Guest Speaker on ‘Leading a Life’.