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

President's Report July 2003 - Recent national and international developments

SAVES' President, Frances Coombe, welcomed guest speaker the Hon Gail Gago MLC, members and visitors to the July 2003 public meeting. She spoke of recent developments on the 'home front', as well as a broad range of interstate and international issues. There continues to be a flurry of activity, including law challenges and several important surveys. Much of this information is provided or augmented by EXIT Australia's excellent Deliverance email news service.

At the local level the successful Shirley Nolan Rally on August 15th included five parliamentary speakers representing wide cross party support for law reform. They were the Hon Sandra Kanck MLC (Democrats), the Hon Dr Bob Such MHA (Independent), Mr Kris Hanna MHA (Greens), Hon Robert Sneath MLC (Labor) and Dr Duncan McFetridge MHA (Liberal). Importantly there was wide media coverage, helping to keep the issue in the public eye. Also present were two members of Right to Life expressing an opposing view, which is their right in an open democracy.

Shirley Nolan OBE, who took her own life in the face of intractable suffering from advanced Parkinson's disease, had asked that her situation be publicised to highlight the plight of those who continue to have their end-of-life wishes thwarted by unjust laws. Like her they are effectively forced to either endure unbearable suffering or exercise self-deliverance - both cruel responses to an expressed need. Shirley was well known throughout the world for the establishment of the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust.

The rally on Parliament House steps commemorated the first anniversary of her death and highlighted the cruel law that forced Shirley to take her own life.

Frances advised that SAVES continues to provide members of parliament with important written information, on a regular basis. This recently included a world overview of assisted dying laws, judicial decisions and parliamentary initiatives. The importance of the separation of church and state has also been highlighted in a letter, as well as the fact that the emergence of a range of self-deliverance techniques is to voluntary euthanasia what the coat-hanger was to abortion, until there was enlightened legislative reform. A further letter explained the way in which the current law perpetuates needless suffering. A copy of the Shirley Nolan Rally flyer was also sent to parliamentary members inviting them to attend. Frances urged the audience to write to all 22 members of the Legislative Council as well as their own House of Assembly member in support of the Dignity in Dying Bill. Those who are church members are also urged to advise their minister that they support a compassionate stand on the bill.

On the interstate front Frances advised that a Supreme Court judge in Melbourne has now made a decision in the case of Alexander Maxwell who agreed to help his wife die when she was suffering from advanced cancer. The judge claimed 'none of us would wish to face the dilemma with which you were confronted' and allowed Mr Maxwell to walk free with a suspended sentence. While respecting the need to abide by existing laws, the judge nevertheless made a significant judgement by stating that 'justice may be tempered with mercy'.

At the international level the world's oldest and largest right-to-die organisation, Hemlock, has changed its name to 'End-of-life Choices'. The organisation founded in 1980 has chosen the motto 'Dignity, Compassion, Control'. Frances also advised that the group that provided the initial impetus for the Oregon Death with Dignity law has plans to merge with a national right-to-die organisation, the Death With Dignity National Center. This was founded in 1994 and has its headquarters in Washington. The merger will provide a more nationally diverse board and more effective promotion of Oregon's law as a national model, with particular focus on Hawaii and Vermont. It is also promoted as a stronger defense of Oregon's law against those in the USA Congress attempting to render it unworkable.

Frances provided details of a recent study undertaken in six European countries, investigating the frequency and characteristics of end-of-life decision making practices. The study, reported on later in this edition, shows more open and transparent discussion and decision making in those countries where there is legal access to assisted dying. Other reports discussed by Frances, and explored in this edition, are the third Netherlands report, a survey of Oregon nurses, and research from the Netherlands on the bereavement experienced by loved ones, relatives and friends of those who died from voluntary euthanasia, compared with those who experienced a 'natural' death.

In closing the meeting Frances offered light refreshments and the opportunity to engage with others informally on the many points of discussion raised during the meeting.