Damned if I Do (22 page)

 

Notes

1 A good idea

1
Many years later, I found myself speaking opposite Professor Lickiss at a dinner at the Australian Academy of Forensic Sciences in Sydney. Her views hadn't changed. As well, during her contribution, she engaged in word play on ‘Nazi—Nitschke—Euthanasia', intimating that my role in voluntary euthanasia was somehow the same as the Nazis' role in the Holocaust. I was quietly pleased when the then Commonwealth Solicitor, General David Bennett, in a question from the audience, pulled her up for the inappropriateness of her innuendo.

2
See: www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/backgroundbriefing/push-your-vote-our-way/3556506

5 Wave Hill

1
Historical photos can be seen at: www.gurindjifreedomday.com/bedford%20truck%20stories.html

8 The Top End

1
See: www.abc.net.au/news/2009-05-26/bid-to-keep-killers-locked-up/1695000

2
See Chris Ryan ‘Sex Videos for Research: MP',
Sydney Morning Herald
, 1 December 1997, p. 2.

9 First in the world

1
See: www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/jeremy-sims-blarney-falls-flat/story-e6frf96o-1225856123482

2
See: www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdiQScBQDRs

3
See: www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/broughttolife/objects/display.aspx?id=91717

4
See: www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9O3RjQDtpM

5
See: www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/05/30/1022569809397.html

10 The overturn

1
Anthony Albanese's speech against the Kevin Andrews Bill can be viewed at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5fs-ZXntxo

2
http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22chamber%2Fhansardr%2F1996-11-06%2F0170%22 Wednesday, 6 November 1996, page: 6751, Main Committee, EUTHANASIA LAWS BILL 1996, Second Reading.

3
For the transcript of ‘The Dying Game', see: www.abc.net.au/4corners/stories/s72769.htm

11 Moving on

1
See: www.theage.com.au/national/this-is-angelique-she-wanted-to-die-with-dignity-20080912-4fi2.html; see also www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdxd_EFDd4s for Angelique's plea to then prime minister Kevin Rudd to change the law on assisted suicide.

2
See the discussion of Erin Berg in chapter 14 for more on the importance of good record keeping.

12 The courage of Caren Jenning

1
See: www.smh.com.au/nsw/state-prosecutors-reasoning-in-wood-trial-dangerous-20120224-1ttq9.html

2
See: www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/queensland-teacher-jailed-for-helping-suicide-of-man-76/story-e6frg6nf-1226272723498

13 Adversaries and allies

1
G. Alcorn, ‘Legal or Not, Euthanasia's Controversy Refuses to Die'.
The A
ge, 10 October 1998, p. 1.

2
R. Syme,
A Good Death: An Argument for Voluntary Euthanasia
, Melbourne University Press, 2008, p. 214.

3
F. Stewart, ‘Mercy Groups Bicker over Death Pill',
The Sunday Age
, 24 February 2002, p. 4.

4
www.stv.tv/weather/95276-controversial-euthanasia-doctor-speaks-in-glasgow

5
See: www.heraldscotland.com/baby-boomers-are-key-to-winning-euthanasia-debate-says-dr-death-1.826699

6
See: www.ft.com/cms/s/2/60bac5fe-8369-11e1-9f9a-00144feab49a.html#axzz21nOEjb19

7
See, for example: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-15588231

8
See: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-15588231

9
www.crikey.com.au/2012/09/17/fight-over-clem-jones-bequest-splits-right-to-die-movement

10
www.exitinternational.net/page/Deliverance

11
www.crikey.com.au/2012/09/17/fight-over-clem-jones-bequest-splits-right-to-die-movement

12
Kathryn Jean Lopez, ‘Euthanasia Sets Sail',
National Review Online
, 5 June 2001.

14 My life with the media

1
See, for example: www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/06/08/1086460287472.html

2
L. Scott, ‘A Life in Pain Is a Life in Prison',
The Weekend Australian
, 30 March 2002.

3
G. McManus, T. Rindfleisch and I. Haberfield, ‘As Crick Debate Rages, a Melbourne Woman Says: I'm Going to End My Life',
Sunday Herald Sun
, 26 May 2002.

4
D. Nason and N. Strahan, ‘Nitschke Has Explaining To Do: Premier',
The Australian
, 28 May 2002.

5
The first of Medew's fair reporting in
The Age
on voluntary euthanasia was the quirkily titled ‘$50 for a Cuppa and a Recipe to Die' at: www.theage.com.au/news/national/50-for-a-cuppa-and-recipe-to-die/2008/03/11/1205125911255.html A second, more serious page-one ­article concerned the death of Angie Belecciu and was titled ‘Angie's Choice: A Death with Dignity' at: www.theage.com.au/national/angies-choice-a-death-with-dignity-20090324-98xs.html

6
www.theage.com.au/national/euthanasia-drug-snares-younger-australians-20100214-nzgl.html

7
See: www.lifesitenews.com/news/venue-cancels-dr-death-nitschke-suicide-workshop-in-uk-police-alerted-abou

8
See: www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/360/losing-erin/3069486

9
ABC journalist Kirstie Melville would take a similar unbalanced line in an episode, ‘Losing Erin', of a
Street Stories
documentary on Radio National at www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/360/losing-erin/3069486

10
See: www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/360/losing-erin/3069486

11
‘Nitschke May Lose Licence Over Beer' at www.ntnews.com.au/article/2012/09/08/313433_ntnews.html

15 Censorship

1
The full unedited version of
Do It Yourself with Betty
can also be seen at www.veoh.com/watch/yapi-f4VrKvGKvYw. Betty's reply to YouTube's censorship can be viewed at www.peacefulpillhandbook.com/page/MakingtheExitBag

2
www.cbc.ca/fifth/givedeathahand/interview.html

3
See: http://internetphd36.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/fed-nitschke-says-canadian-suicide-kit.html

4
Read the
Media Watch
transcript at www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/s1390968.htm

5
The edited segment can be viewed on YouTube under the title ‘Mademoiselle & The Doctor Euthanasia Documentary Censored Sequence', or tag ‘exityourtube', which shows all of Exit's remaining YouTube videos. The transcript can be read at www.abc.net.au/4corners/content/2007/s1916545.htm

6
See: www.smh.com.au/opinion/web-filtering-pulls-plug-on-euthanasia-debate-20090521-bh0s.html

7
Watch the program at www.abc.net.au/4corners/content/2010/s2893505.htm

8
The ad can be viewed at www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRDZFwlWU1s

9
See: www.abc.net.au/news/2010-09-10/pro-euthanasia-tv-ad-banned/2256644

10
See: www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/per-cent-support-voluntary-euthanasia-poll/story-fn3dxiwe-1225791455181

11
See: news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/another-blow-for-euthanasia-campaign-20100915-15cfd.html

12
The ‘Oxford Union' entry in Wikipedia covers the controversy that I experienced at the hands of the Oxford Union.

13
Listen at www.youtube.com/watch?v=QViqeqwj7_E

16 Going global

1
See: www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1890413,00.html

2
On 13 July 2012, the Canadian Government announced it would be appealing the ruling of the BC Supreme Court. This fight is far from over. See: www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/sunnews/politics/archives/2012/07/20120713-142557.html

3
www.sconews.co.uk/news/14380/diy-euthanasia-workshop-allowed-in-edinburgh/

4
See: www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/dearbhail-mc-donald-courts-facing-tough-task--issue-of-euthanasia-3243698.html

17 Time out

1
To watch the program see www.abc.net.au/tv/messagestick/video/2008/July2008.htm?pres=s2310447&story=1

2
The group photo of the 1986 trip can be viewed at www.territorystories.nt.gov.au/handle/10070/9342

19 Looking ahead

1
See: legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Citizen+initiated+referendum

2
See: www.cps.gov.uk/news/press_releases/109_10/

3
See: www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/jun/23/tony-nicklinson-assisted-suicide-twitter-interview

4
See: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-19797634

5
Dennis Shanahan, ‘Nitschke Accused of Gas Import Scam',
The Australian
, 31 August 2012, p. 3.

6
Ross Fitzgerald, ‘Seriously Ill Should Have the Choice to Exit',
The Australian,
17 November 2012.

 

Acknowledgements

Philip Nitschke wishes to thank long-term Exit staff Kerri Dennis and Amanda McClure.

Peter Corris wishes to thank Jean Bedford and Renee Quinn.

 

Index

7.30 Report
(ABC TV)
92

Abbott, Tony
126

Aboriginal rights, support for
38–9
,
43–6
,
54
,
55

accelerometer inside boxing headgear
71

activist journalism
160

Adams, Phillip
112
,
170

advertising, banning of
162
,
174
,
175

Albanese, Anthony
100

Alcorn, Gay
82
,
88
,
201

AM
(ABC radio)
35

Andrews Act
104
,
105
,
170
,
205

Andrews' Bill
99
,
100
,
101–4
,
105

Andrews, Kevin
98–9
,
101
,
110–11

anti-euthanasia blogs and websites
160
,
178

Arafura Games
71

Arch-Rowe, Elaine
168

Ardrossan (SA)
9
,
11

army reserve
56

Arnold, Peter
78

ASIO file
54

Assange, Julian
184

assisted-suicide

and inheritance
120–1

legal cases
116–22
,
135

testing of the law
127
,
147

atheism
25

Atheist Ireland
188

Atkinson, Bob
151

Atkinson, Don
37–8
,
41

Ausdoc Mobile
80–2
,
85

Australian Advertising Standards Bureau
176

Australian Amateur Boxing Association
71

The Australian Book of Atheism
96

Australian Christian Lobby
125
,
126
,
170

Australian Customs

confiscation of COGen
165–6

Importing Barbiturates: Pentobarbital/Nembutal
211

Australian Health Practitioners Regulatory Agency (AHPRA), inquiries into fitness to practice medicine
126
,
127
,
159–60
,
211

Australian Medical Association (AMA)

opposition to euthanasia
4
,
86

personal attacks
149–50

Baddeley, Steve
68–9
,
95
,
105
,
106

Baeyer, Adolf
128

Bankin, Ellis
195–6

Bankin, Frank
195

Banshee
(yacht)
73

barbituric acid
128

Baume, Eric
33

Baume, Peter
92

Beadell, Len
61
,
62

Beattie government, legal action against
151

Beattie, Peter
146
,
150

Beazley, Kim
99
,
172

Beckett, Simeon
169

Beech, Kathy
185

Belecciu, Angie
145

Bell, Max
85–8
,
160

Bellamy, John
184

Berg, Erin
153–6

Berg, Norman
153–4

billboard campaign
175–6

Biros, Kenneth
209
,
210

Blixen, Karen
192

Bodor, Peter
117

Boeing Corporation
27

Bolt, Andrew
157

Bowden, Tom
12

Bowen, Paul
207

boxing
50
,
69–71

Brennan, Max
34
,
35

Brighthelm Community Church
183
,
185

Brinkworth Area School
14

British Columbia Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA)
186

British National Party
177

Brown, Bob
100
,
103–4

Burke, Tony
100

Buswells Hotel (Dublin)
188

Callihanna, Andrea
176

Canada

Dying with Dignity legal case
186

Exit workshops
186

Canadian Criminal Code
186

Cape Du Couedic field station (Kangaroo Island)
39–41

capital punishment
209–10

carcinoid syndrome
97

Carmody, Kev
38
,
194

Carne, Des
60
,
89
,
109

Carver, - (Professor)
27

child pornography
172
,
173

Christian Concern (Ireland)
188

Christian Solidarity Party (Ireland)
187

Chua, Robert
189

Chung, Connie
157

citizen's arrest, making of
20–2
,
144

City Bible Forum
178

Clune, Frank
191
,
195

‘COGen', confiscation by Australian Customs
165–6

Coleman, David (Rev.)
183

collaborative autobiography
217–18

College of Psychiatrists
90

Commonwealth Criminal Code
167

Compass
(ABC TV)

censoring of documentary
Mademoiselle and the Doctor
166

interview with Scott Stephens
25

Concerned Citizens of Alice Springs
55

Concordia College
14
,
16

‘Condolence Books'
170

Coniston massacre
33–4

Connors, Graeme
69

Conroy, Stephen
172
,
173

Corris, Peter
217–20

Court, John
30–1

Crean, Simon
100

Crews, Bill (Rev.)
158

Cribb, Reg
86

Crick, Jimmy
146

Crick, Nancy
127
,
145
,
146–51

Cripps, Robin
69

Crook, Andrew
158

Cully, Jean
50

Curran, Marie
189

Curran, Tom
188–9

Curtin Springs station
196

Customs Act
(Cth), voluntary euthanasia items or information amendment
165–7
,
168

Cutler, Trevor
63

Daguragu/Wattie Creek (NT)
39
,
41
,
113

Dalton, Jean
120

Darken, Bob
54
,
55
,
194

Darwin Private Hospital
94

Day of Shame protest
170

‘De-breather'
136

Deane, Sir William
105
,
106

death threats
123

defamation action
139–40

Deliverance
(Exit's newsletter)
129
,
139

‘Deliverance Machine'
89
,
93
,
97
,
109
,
142
,
181
,
185
,
207

Democratic Labor Party
126

Democrats
167

Dent, Bob
85
,
88–92
,
93
,
94
,
101
,
130

Dent, Judy
90
,
91

Denton, Andrew
90

depressed teenagers
140–2

depression
142

detention, by UK Immigration officials
183–4

Dignified Departures
(TV series)
189

Dignitas (Zurich)
115–16
,
135
,
206
,
207

Dignity in Dying (UK)
134
,
180–2

Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund
187

Do It Yourself with Betty
(film) (Hopes)
162–3

doctor-assisted suicide

‘Deliverance Machine'
89

in the Netherlands
102

Doctors for Change
4–5

Dominguez, James
100

Doogue, Geraldine
166

Doyle sisters
154–5

‘Dr Death'
93
,
187

drug addicts

prescriptions for morphine tablets
80

provision of clean opiates
80
,
81–2

drug policy of NT government
81–2

Duckworth, Dick
195–6

Duffy, Michael
173

Duffy, Mike
180

Duncan, George (Dr)
31

Dying with Dignity NSW
139

Dying with Dignity Victoria
140

Eastbourne Riviera Hotel
185

Eby, David
186

Eddington, Paul
93

Edge, John
127–9

education

medical studies
58
,
59–61
,
65
,
66–7

PhD supervisors
33–4

postgraduate studies
7
,
27
,
28–36

primary schooling
11

secondary schooling
11
,
12
,
13
,
14–16

undergraduate years
18–27

Ellard, John
90

Elliott, John (Dr)
145

Ellis Matthewman Bankin: Outback Motorcyclist Who Perished: A Biography
(Duckworth)
196

Ellison, Chris
165

employment

administrative manager at Wave Hill
42–7
,
54

after-hours general medical practice
80–2
,
85

army reservist
56

boxing doctor at Arafura Games
71

doctor-in-attendance at boxing matches
69–71

gardener at Wave Hill
38–9
,
41–2

holiday employment whilst student
22–3

lighthouse and field station manager
39–41

medical intern
67
,
68–9
,
75–6

medical photographer
77

medical student on placement
66

park ranger in Northern Territory
51
,
53–6

radiation protection officer
77–9

taxi driver
50

tram conductor
48
,
50

as voluntary euthanasia activist
108–10
,
111
,
199–203
,
204
,
205–6

End of Life Choice Bill (New Zealand)
205–6

Enderby, Kep
128

Enough Rope
(ABC TV)
90

Ensemble Theatre
35

euthanasia, definition
3

Euthanasia Laws Bill 1996 (Andrews' Bill)
99
,
100
,
101–4
,
105

‘Euthanasia No' campaign
100

Exit bags
162–3
,
164–5
,
166
,
213

Exit International (formerly VERV)

administration
110

advertising
162
,
174
,
175–6

billboard campaign
175–6

cancellation of account by PayPal
163
,
177–8

database
110
,
156

Day of Shame protest
170

defamation action
139–40

drug-testing kits
208

‘Exit Choices' television commercial
175

foundation
107

fundraising
109
,
199–200
,
201

information workshops in Australia
107–8
,
111
,
125
,
164

information workshops overseas
111
,
133
,
134
,
135
,
137
,
177
,
180
,
181
,
182–3
,
184–90

membership requirements
156

ongoing projects and activities
202–3
,
208

as only national voluntary euthanasia member organisation in Australia
138

philosophical stance on voluntary euthanasia
206

response to proposed internet filtering
174

succession planning
204

YouTube videos
163

‘Exit Nembutal Test Kit'
183
,
184–5

explosives
11–13

Facebook campaign
215

Farewell Foundation (Canada)
186

FATE (Friends at the End) (Scotland)
133

Festival of Dangerous Ideas
199

Final Exit
(Humphry)
136
,
137
,
168

Finch, Fred
81

Fitzgerald, Ross
215

Flinders Postgraduate Students' Association (FPSA)
30

Flinders University

funding policy
34–5

PhD scholarship
27

Flounders, Don
145

Flounders, Iris
145

Flowers, Angelique
109
,
145

foot injury and associated legal action
56–7
,
59
,
63–5

Four Corners
(ABC TV)

‘Access Denied'
174

‘Final Call'
170

‘The Dying Game'
106

‘The Road to Nowhere'
87–8
,
160

Frances (SA)
11