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

Our very sincere thanks also go to Professor Helga Kuhse, Marshall Perron and Rev Dr Andrew Dutney for their letters and articles of support. Thanks also goes to members Janet Pfeiffer, Bob Fewsdale and Bob Brown. This brings me to an extremely important point - the support of you as our members. We need you to be part of the action… don't stop now that the bill has made it to committee stage. It's also vital for you to show your support by sending letters to the newspapers and participating in talkback programmes - responding to voluntary euthanasia issues raised.

Another area in need of your support is that of the mobile display. As you know it has been carried by libraries for the last seven years. This is the only high profile public face that presents our case for law reform and it is therefore essential that we maintain it. This year there has been more reticence on behalf of librarians and it has been harder to book the display. Some libraries receive negative comments by opponents, so if you see the display in your library please give positive feedback, such as a short letter commending the library, or even verbal comments.

As you may have seen in the V E Bulletin, Jan Kavanagh is keen to start a southern areas support group and nurses' group. We are very appreciative of Jan's support, as we are of any support from our members. It is often difficult to travel from the outer suburbs for general meetings and such a group is the ideal way to stay in touch and become involved. SAVES' committee thinks long and hard about the best ways of achieving law reform and the best way of using the funds that you provide through membership and donations to this end. As a consequence we decided to donate $1000.00 each to the three members of parliament who support us, and work hard for our aims through their tri-partisan approach. The donations will assist Sandra Kanck, Bob Such and Frances Bedford in their campaigns towards re-election. With the death of Sir Mark Oliphant, it became necessary to find another eminent and respected person to join Emeritus Professor Jim Richardson as a patron, and we are honoured to now have Robyn Layton QC join us in this role.

Recently we were privileged to meet with Dr Willem van der Minne, a general practitioner from the Netherlands who spoke at a Palliative Care Council meeting, telling of his experiences as a doctor granting requests for euthanasia, and as a 'second opinion' doctor. He also met with a few members of parliament at Parliament House, appeared on radio and gave generously of his time, including at a SAVES committee social function to exchange ideas and to learn more about practice in the Netherlands.

In conclusion I now take special pleasure in welcoming our speakers today, Sandra Kanck and Bob Such. I find it difficult to express our deep appreciation to you both for the dedication and commitment you have shown over the last hard fighting months of the bill. South Australians are indeed fortunate to have you representing them.