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

The Federal Election is over with both major parties claiming success. While their claims are not entirely without reason - Howard did not lose office in spite of his GST proposals and Beazely has steered his party to a strong position for the next election - of greater importance to readers of this Newsletter is the low interest in voluntary euthanasia as a political issue. Here was Philip Nitschke, pioneer doctor in implementing the Northern Territory Rights of the Terminally Ill Act challenging Kevin Andrews, the initiator of the legislation that overturned that Act, for his seat in parliament. And yet it rated virtually no comment in the media outside Victoria. Despite probably around 75% of Australians disapproving of what Andrews and his supporters did in destroying the Act, Philip's challenge was just not national news. Thus political realities continue to inhibit the voluntary euthanasia movement.

Philip has an interesting background and in mounting his campaign for the federal seat of Menzies, he announced:

"I have had a long history of fighting for social change within the community. Although I am now a doctor, I originally trained as a physicist, gaining a PhD in physics from South Australia, before travelling to the Northern Territory to work with the Gurindji, the first Aboriginal group in Australia to regain ownership of their land. This was followed by several years with National Parks & Wildlife Authority in the Northern Territory before moving to Melbourne. In my thirties, I decided to pursue a career in medicine and graduated from Sydney University as a doctor in 1989, returning to the Northern Territory to work... In recent years I have been involved in issues as diverse as nuclear safeguard protocols, Aboriginal rights, issues of free speech and censorship, and drug law reform. Recently, most emphasis has been on the enactment and implementation of appropriate voluntary euthanasia legislation so that suffering, terminally ill people could openly ask for and receive help from their doctor to die when and how they choose."

Although Philip's challenge didn't spark the national debate that had been hoped for, it did impact on Andrews. He started with a safe margin of 11% and this was whittled down to around 2%. There were 8 candidates and Philip gained around 9 % of the primary vote, a truly remarkable result for a first time independent candidate.

The movement is fortunate to have attracted a valiant campaigner of such dedication, determination and ability. Already his next initiative, a clinic in Victoria for the terminally ill who regularly contact him Australia-wide for assistance, has been announced.