JULY 2015 VOL 32 NO 2 JULY 2015 ISSN 1321-0599

NEWSLETTER OF THE SOUTH AUSTRALIA VOLUNTARY EUTHANASIA SOCIETY INC. (SAVES) ‘The is as inviolable as the right to life’. Sir Mark Oliphant Approximately 250 people attended the meeting, Dr Rob Jonquière and Marshall including several current and former members of Perron join SAVES’ 2015 Parliament and members of the specialist voluntary campaign euthanasia support groups. A highlight of SAVES 2015 campaign was hosting Dr Jonquière outlined the law and its function in a visit by Dr Rob Jonquière, Communications the Netherlands and provided evidence to dispel Director of the World Federation of Right to Die the myths put forward by opponents of voluntary Societies. Dr Jonquière has extensive experience in euthanasia. Marshall Perron described the creation medical practice, management and advocacy, and and demise of the world’s first legalisation of helped to develop the Dutch Termination of Life on voluntary euthanasia. Stephen Kenny explored Request and (Review Procedures) the rights of the individual in life matters, while Act which took effect on April 1st 2002. Steph Key and Duncan McFetridge emphasised the politics of legalisation of voluntary euthanasia. The year 2015 is the 20th anniversary of the The evening was a great success, with people passage of the world’s first voluntary euthanasia commenting on the growing momentum they legislation – the Northern Territory Rights of experienced; signified too by the numbers the Terminally Ill (ROTI) Act (1995) which attending and their level of engagement with was overturned by Federal Parliament in 1997. the issue. The forum was recorded and will be Marshall Perron, a former Chief Minister of available in various formats for use by SAVES and the Northern Territory, the architect of this other organisations. legislation, has remained an active advocate for the legalisation of voluntary euthanasia. It was Dr Dr Rob Jonquière also gave an audio visual therefore appropriate to invite Marshall Perron to presentation and held a ‘question and answer’ be part of SAVES 2015 campaign. The activity session for the South Coast Support Group in supported by these two key advocates during the Victor Harbor which was attended by 100 people. first week in June was a major part of SAVES 2015 He also addressed 40 nurses from the Australian campaign for law reform; building on the 2013 Nursing and Midwifery Federation SA Branch. and 2014 campaigns which have been discussed in Dr Jonquière presented to a grand round in the earlier SAVES Bulletins. Department of Psychiatry at Flinders University entitled “Euthanasia: increasing acceptance – The key event was a forum at the Hawke Centre the Dutch Experience”. This was attended by UniSA on 2nd June entitled The Voluntary psychiatry consultants, psychiatry staff, other Euthanasia Story – the epic journey to make it clinicians and students. The attentive audience legal. The forum was chaired by Hon Sandra of approximately 30-40 actively engaged in the Kanck, former leader of the Australian Democrats question-time that followed his talk. in SA, and former Legislative Council MP and architect of previous voluntary euthanasia Bills Dr Jonquière and Marshall Perron both visited in SA Parliament. Dr Rob Jonquière, Marshall Flinders University Law School where they Perron, human rights lawyer Stephen Kenny, Hon presented a 45 minute session entitled ‘Legal Steph Key (ALP) and Dr Duncan McFetridge Challenges Solved – the Dutch Experience. (Liberal) all made presentations. Dr Jonquière also visited constitutional lawyer 1 Professor John Williams in the Faculty of Law also generated through social media (facebook at The University of Adelaide for discussion and twitter). Paid advertisements in each of the and information- sharing on the legal status 11 editions of The Messenger Press and 7,500 of voluntary euthanasia in the Netherland and flyers provided some of the many other forms of Australia. publicity. Approximately 600 people attended the various public and private forums, meetings and The Hon Steph Key (ALP) and Dr Duncan discussions. The week generated momentum for McFetridge (Liberal) hosted a Parliamentary a Bill to be introduced later in the year. It wasn’t reception for Marshall Perron, who spoke on all hard work though; with Drs Arnold Gillespie, the politics of voluntary euthanasia, and Dr Rob Rosie Jones and John Willoughby each hosting Jonquière who made a presentation on voluntary different social events. euthanasia in the Netherlands. Each presentation was followed by questions and answers. The SAVES sincerely thanks Dr Jonquière and meeting was attended by several current members Marshall Perron for each giving an invaluable of parliament as well as former parliamentarians contribution to public dialogue on the need for law who had been active in advocating law reform that can put an to suffering. reform since the 1990s. No doubt they will be remembered by SAVES’ more long-standing SAVES President Frances Coombe expresses her members. They included John Quirke, Anne Levy, deep appreciation for the many hours expended by Sandra Kanck, Frances Bedford, Caroline Pickles committee and task force in managing the week’s and Gay Thompson. Other invited guests included activities; with a special thank you to the South representatives from the voluntary euthanasia Coast Support Group for SAVES, Gerry Versteeg, specialist support groups. and to SAVES members. During the week there were opportunities for both A sincere thank you is also expressed to Fernando visitors to meet with a range of parliamentarians Gonçalves who generously donated his services ‘one-to-one’, and Federal MP Alannah MacTiernan in photographing the event and to the Bob Hawke by Skype. Dr Jonquière and Marshall Perron both Prime Ministerial Centre for their support in met with Dr Janice Fletcher, newly appointed providing the venue. President of the AMA (SA Division) on the *See pages 8 and 9 for a selection of photos of association’s stance on voluntary euthanasia. the forum taken by Fernando Gonçalves Dr Jonquière also met with Emeritus Professor Ian Maddocks AM, palliative care specialist, *Please note that DVDs of the Forum will be and discussed common ground in achieving available for $35 including postage the best outcome for people in their end of life arrangements. The discussion focused on the shared concern for relieving suffering at the end of 20th anniversary of the NT life. ROTI Act Dr Jonquière and Marshall Perron led a discussion The NT Rights of the Terminally Ill Act was passed with representatives from SAVES and each of the on the 25th May 1995. The 20th anniversary of voluntary euthanasia specialist support groups. the first Australian voluntary euthanasia law is The media were advised of the meeting and a reminder of the ongoing quest for law reform. AAP and Candice Marcus from ABC TV News Bob Dent was the first person to elect to use the attended; both providing detailed reports for their law with the assistance of Dr Philip Nitschke who organisations. provided a computer-aided medication driver which gave Mr Dent control over the process. The The range of activities throughout the week law was overturned by the Euthanasia Laws Act attracted television, radio and print media and 1997 spearheaded by Minister Kevin Andrews in other publicity. Limited informal publicity was the [then] Howard Government. 2 JULY 2015

It was timely therefore to have the former Chief “A doctor can lawfully assist a patient endure the Minister of the NT, Marshall Perron, address process of dying slowly over two weeks yet they SAVES’ forum and see part of the ongoing work cannot lawfully assist them to die in minutes by in Australia to bring about change. In an article prescribing appropriate drugs.” entitled ‘The challenging quest for the right to die’ in the latest publication from Australia 21 As a result of being denied assistance many of Incorporated, Who Speaks For and Protects the these deaths are unnecessarily premature, lonely Public Interest? Marshall Perron states: and violent: ‘You may think that a law that did not require “Premature because the individual has to act while anybody to do anything, saved taxpayer money, they have the physical and mental capacity. Lonely reduced anxiety and violent premature suicide and because the individual is aware that assisting is desired by 12 million Australians would be high a suicide is an offence and they do not want to on the agenda of our democratic representatives.’ implicate family or friends. Violent because they must use whatever means to die they can access.” https://www.australia21.org.au/publication-archive/who- speaks-for-and-protects-the-public-interest-in-australia/ Mr Perron stated “My observation is that with rare exception, politicians avoid the issue whenever they can... Anxious to avoid antagonising a Suicide of the elderly: an under religious minority in their electorate the easy thing reported tragedy to do is nothing. They try to ignore the subject in the hope it will go away … The community is not During his visit to Adelaide Marshall Perron spoke asking politicians to lead on this issue, they are of the under-reporting of the tragedy of suicide asking them to catch up … Apart from religious amongst elderly people in Australia. His comments fundamentalists, politicians are the only group have been covered by a report on the DPS News who cannot seem to grasp the shift in community website which notes that three Australians over 75 attitudes brought on by a rejection of pointless years of age take their life each week (Australian protracted suffering when death is inevitable.” Bureau of Statistics). If the base age is reduced to 70 years the number is nearer four each week. https://www.agedcareguide.com.au/news/2015/03/02/elderly- Both the ABS and coroners maintain that the suicide-an-under-reported-tragedy/ figures are under-reported. Dr Rodney Syme, vice- president of Dying with Dignity Victoria argues: Dr Rodney Syme ‘uninvited’ from “The real tragedy is that elderly people who RACP conference wish to end their suffering – both physical and existential – can’t even discuss their intentions Dr Rodney Syme, Vice President Dying with with their doctor because the doctor will likely try Dignity Victoria, was a scheduled keynote speaker to dissuade them as he or she cannot ‘help’ them,” at the annual conference of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP). This was held Without appropriate information they invariably in Cairns between 24–27 May, with the theme suicide violently and alone, aggravating the trauma ‘Breaking Boundaries Creating Connections’. Dr experienced by loved ones. Hanging is the most Syme’s was to discuss the gap between the rhetoric common method, as well as firearms, gas, poison, and the reality of palliative care. drowning, and jumping from buildings. Less violent, yet equally traumatic methods to suicide A few days before the event he was ‘uninvited’ or, such as refusing food and fluid have long been in effect censored by the college. Dr Syme accused used. Marshall Perron said this shows just how the RACP of ‘cowardly’ and ‘insulting’ behaviour ‘obnoxious’ the current law is: and of trying to stifle debate. He stated that ‘the outcome is an act of academic censorship of the

3 worst kind as they did not know the content of my address.’ ‘DyingForChoice.com’ Former Northern Territory Chief Minister Marshall DyingForChoice.com is a new website dedicated Perron wrote to the RACP stating that the decision to responsible assisted-dying law reform. was ‘disgraceful’. Rather than encouraging open It provides up-to-date and evidence-based discussion the RACP demonstrated a shameful and information for the general public, policy makers, ‘cowardly’ approach. healthcare workers, researchers, students, media and others. Associate Professor Arnold Gillespie of Doctors for Voluntary Euthanasia Choice, writing on A key initiative is to make the facts, figures and behalf of 63 others, called on the RACP executive arguments clear in order to counter and correct to explain why the address by Dr Rodney Syme misunderstanding, misinformation and fear- was cancelled. Dr Syme supports palliative care mongering from opponents of assisted-dying law but argues: reform. Political fear-mongering in the face of contrary evidence is unjustified and should be “The inherent ‘goodness’ of the enterprise, and exposed. the essentially closed nature of hospice, has allowed the rhetoric of palliative care to escape Neil Francis, former past President of the World examination … and as palliative care specialist Federation of Right to Die Societies and the Derek Doyle wrote, “a metaphorical halo shines past and Foundation Chairman and CEO of over specialist palliative care and its practitioners YourLastRight.com, is leading this initiative. with the result that some of its claims and The website has important resources including assumptions have gone unchallenged by all but a facts and analysis, blogs, news, events, a monthly few”. newsletter, and media alerts; as well as information on the fundamental forms of misinformation that A full transcript of the speech that Dr Syme was to are employed, including in the context of voluntary presentis is available at the link below. euthanasia law reform. Check out this valuable http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/comment/full-text-of-dr- resource! rodney-symes-speech-on-the-right-to-physicianassisted- death-20150526-gh9vh0.html Bequests to SAVES Also see: http://blogs.crikey.com.au/croakey/2015/05/20/ right-to-die-campaigner-rodney-syme-accuses-racp-of- A bequest to SAVES is a significant gift stifling-debate-on-euthanasia/ furthering the primary aim of the society to achieve law reform allowing choice The World Federation of Right to Die for voluntary euthanasia. Societies The appropriate wording for the gift of a The World Federation of Right to Die specific sum is I bequeath to the South Societies, founded in 1980, consists Australian Voluntary Euthanasia Society of 51 right to die organizations from Inc. the sum of $...... 26 countries. The Federation provides an international link for organizations In the unlikely event that you wish to working to secure or protect the rights leave your entire estate to SAVES it of individuals to self-determination at would read I give, devise and bequeath the end of their lives. the whole of my real and personal estate to the South Australian Voluntary See: http://www.worldrtd.net/ Euthanasia Society Inc.

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Adelaide conference opposing The international scene voluntary euthanasia Testing the law in New Zealand Lecretia Seales, a 42 year old New Zealand lawyer who died from an inoperable brain tumour on 5th June, had approached the High Court for the right to die at a time of her own choosing. She sought a court judgement to ensure that her GP would not face any charges associated with assisting her death, arguing: “I am the one who has been inflicted with this disease, no one else. It is my life that has been cut short … so who else but me should have the authority to decide if and when the disease and its effects are so intolerable that I would prefer to die?” Her case follows a decision by Canada’s Supreme Court in May that found the ban on doctors participating in assisted-dying infringed human “Hope” is the name of the Australian Family rights. Despite devoting some of her remaining Association’s initiative for opposing voluntary energy to the public debate about how we die, euthanasia in Australia. The association hosted Ms Seales understood that the choice she sought a conference in Adelaide in May ‘welcoming would almost certainly not become lawful in her participants who oppose the introduction of lifetime. euthanasia and assisted suicide laws’. In a disappointing judgement brought down just Approximately 10 SAVES members formed before she died of natural causes, Justice Collins a street presence outside the hotel hosting the explained that the criminal law in New Zealand is conference to protest at its closed format. Members not the same as in Canada. Only parliament can handed flyers advertising SAVES open forum on make the changes to the law to reflect Ms Seales June 2nd which attracted ABC news media. To wishes. He noted ‘the courts cannot trespass on the acknowledge the many people that have, and will, role of parliament’. Justice Collins also expressed suffer what sociologist Alan Kellehear refers to his sincere condolences to Ms Seales and her as “shameful deaths” until voluntary euthanasia family. Following the court judgement is legalised, SAVES member Kip Fuller hung a Prime Minister stated there will be no memorial wreath in a nearby tree (see photo). government-sponsored legislation that would pave the way for voluntary euthanasia. People in NZ are left with only two options to get a bill before Postage costs are rising. The VE Parliament. Any MP can seek the leave of the Bulletin is available by email: House to introduce a bill, but it takes only one MP to voice an objection for this to be refused. The Please consider this option to reduce alternative is to draft a new private member’s bill postage costs. for the ballot reserved for such measures where it Email: [email protected] to receive would compete with 74 other private member’s future editions by email. Thank you bills. This does not bode well for reflecting the will of the people; and in an opinion piece in the NZ 5 Herald on June 9th a commentator John Armstrong enough … We believe it is up to the individual maintained ‘Seale’s family can justifiably feel well physician and their patient to decide voluntarily miffed’. whether the End of Life Option Act is something in which they want to engage. Protecting that A petition has been presented to Parliament by physician-patient relationship is essential.” Labour member Maryan Street, who proposed and championed the End of Life Choices Bill, and This position contrasts with the Australian Medical the late Lecretia Seales’ husband Matt Vickers – Association’s ongoing oppositional stance on gaining cross-party support. behalf of its members who, arguably, have not been appropriately surveyed on the issue.

References: Death of UK assisted-dying advocate Sir http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/wellington-right-to-die- case-could-set-precedent-2015042118#ixzz3bn8096R0 Terry Pratchett http://m.tvnz.co.nz/news/national/6259809http://www. Sir Terry Pratchett who was a satirist, fantasy listener.co.nz/current- http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_ author, creator of the Discworld series, and id=1&objectid=11461931affairs/health-current-affairs/dying- advocate for the right to assisted-dying has died wishes/ in the UK aged 66. He had lived with Alzheimer’s http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/69625397/voluntary- disease for eight years; describing it as an euthanasia-petition-presented-to-parliament ‘embuggerance’. Despite campaigning for assisted- dying following his diagnosis, his publishers said Scottish Parliament rejects law he did not take his own life even though he had earlier stated his wish to die at a time of his own The Guardian Newspaper (29th May 2015) noted choosing. that members of the Scottish Parliament voted down a bill (82-36) which would have allowed One of Terry Pratchett’s books ‘Small Gods’ was those with terminal illnesses to seek help of a recently adapted for the stage at the Bakehouse doctor to end their lives. The veteran independent Theatre in Angas St Adelaide by Pamela Munt MP Margo MacDonald had tried unsuccessfully of the Unseen Theatre Company. The company to change the law on assisted dying five years ago. generously donated the opening night’s After her death in April 2014 following a long performance sales to SAVES in honour of Terry battle with Parkinson’s disease, her second bill was Pratchett’s advocacy. Previously SAVES was also championed by the leader of the Scottish Greens, given the opening nights sales of the productions Patrick Harvie, who gave his commitment to “And No More Shall We Part” and ‘Thief of MacDonald to present it to parliament to the best Time’. Frances Coombe and Julia Anaf attended of his ability. on behalf of SAVES and again thank the estate of Sir Terry Pratchett and Ms Munt most sincerely for California Medical Association adopts a such a generous donation. neutral position Landmark ruling in South Africa The California Medical Association (CMA) no longer opposes physician aid-in-dying and has A South African man who was seeking the right to adopted a neutral stance on the End of Life Option end his life died on 30th April before hearing of a Act in the state Legislature. CMA president Luther landmark court ruling later that day allowing his Cobb stated “As physicians, we want to provide assisted dying. While euthanasia is still illegal in the best care possible for our patients. However, South Africa, Judge Hans Fabricius ruled a doctor despite the remarkable medical breakthroughs could assist Robin Stransham-Ford, a well know we’ve made and the world-class hospice or advocate who was terminally ill with prostate palliative care we can provide, it isn’t always cancer, without legal or professional consequences.

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Stransham-Ford had argued that it was a violation The Promise of his human rights to deny him the ability to end his own life by euthanasia or assisted-dying by a Should’st thou, in grip of dread disease, doctor. He was in constant pain and stated “I am Foresee the day when thou must die, not scared of dying. I am scared of dying in this With no more hope of life or ease, terrible way.” While Judge Fabricius noted that the But only, lingering, to lie court order applied exclusively to his particular While torturing hours go slowly by; case, such a ground-breaking ruling could well set Thy brain awake, thy nerves alive a precedent in South Africa. To thine extremest agony, And all in vain to rave or strive- http://www.ibtimes.com/right-die-south-africa- O my beloved, if this should be, assisted-suicide-advocate-robin-stransham-ford-dies- Call me- and I will set thee free. landmark-1903652 Murder! And thou to judgment hurled Cut off from some few days of grace Focus on ending suffering This will it be to that hard world Discussions concerning voluntary euthanasia Which fits one law to every case, generally focus on ending life. The more And dooms all rebels to disgrace. appropriate context and terminology is surely and But to us twain, who stand above end to suffering. As Dr Rodney Syme stated in the Conventional rules, unbound, unclassed, 2013 Australia 21 Report: A solemn sacrament of love, More true than kisses in the past “Dying may be associated with intolerable Love’s costliest tribute, and the last. suffering and there may be a crescendo of suffering as death approaches. A doctor’s duty is to relieve Thy grateful hand, unclenched, shall seek suffering. Some suffering will only be relieved by The hand that gave thee thy release; death’’. Thy darkening eyes shall dumbly speak Of scorching pangs that sink and cease- Of anguish drowned in rest and peace. South Coast Support Group And I that terrible farewell, Despairing but content, shall take, The South Coast Support Group is an important Knowing that I have served thee well, voice for voluntary euthanasia law reform in South I, that would dare the rack and stake, Australia. It was initiated in April 2010 by two The flames of hell, for thy dear sake. candidates who stood for the Legislative Council in the 2010 election; Denis (Den) Haynes, the The law may hang me for my crime, South Coast Voluntary Euthanasia Convenor, and Just or unjust, I’ll not complain. the late Jenny Wheaton. Denis and Pat Haynes and ‘twere better than to live my time their group have been very active in canvassing Bereaved and broken, and to wane, support for law reform from local member for Slow inch by inch, in useless pain: Finniss Michael Pengilly (Lib). They have an Alone, unhelped, uncomforted, active presence at the Victor Harbor market and are In mine own last extremity; involved in many other initiatives. Den has sent No faithful lover by my bed in the following poem by Ada Cambridge (1844- To do what thou would’st do for me 1926) for members’ interest. It was ‘discovered’ And I shall want to die with thee. by a member of Den’s poetry group from the University of the Third Age.

7 The Voluntary euthanasia story: The epic journey to make it legal Photos courtesy Fernando Gonçalves ([email protected])

Dr Rob Jonquière Marshall Perron Hon Steph Key MP

Dr Duncan McFetridge MP

Human Rights lawyer Stephen Kenny

SAVES President Frances Coombe 8 JULY 2015

Chair: Hon Sandra Kanck

Forum audience 9 10

SAVESSAVESSAVES NOVEMBER NOVEMBER NOVEMBER 2015 2015 2015 PUBLIC PUBLICPUBLIC MEETING MEETING MEETING

NOTICE OF November 2014 GENERAL MEETING TheThe SA SA Voluntary Voluntary Euthanasia Euthanasia Soci Societyety Inc. Inc. (SAVES) (SAVES) holds holds public public meetings meetings twice twice yearly yearly at at

The SA Voluntary EuthanasiaThe Box Factory Society 59 Inc. Regent (SAVES) St South,will hold Adelaide its next general meeting at The Box Factory 59 Regent St South, Adelaide th The Box Factory 59 Regent St South, Adelaide: Sunday Nov 16 2014 at 2.15 pm th TheThe next next public public meeting meeting will will be be held held on on November November 8 th8 2015 2015 at at 2.15 2.15 pm pm SAVES’ president Frances Coombe will discuss theTheThe August topic topic will willInternational be be A A new new VoluntaryConferen Voluntaryce Euthan Euthanon Endasia asiaof Life Bill Bill (ICEL) in in SA SA and show the PowerPoint presentation on SAVES history of advocacy 1983-2014 PleasePlease make make a adiary diary note! note! Tea/coffee and biscuits will be available at the conclusion of the meetings. Bring your friends. South______Australian VoluntaryAll Euthanasia welcome! Society Inc. (SAVES) ______

AnnualAnnual Membership Membership fees: fees: Single Single $30.00 $30.00 (Concession (Concession $15.00), $15.00), Couple Couple $40.00 $40.00 (Concession (Concession $20.00)Annual$20.00) Membership fees: Single $30.00 (Concession $15.00), Couple $40.00 (Concession $20.00) LifeLifeLife membership: membership: membership: Single Single Single $350.00, $350.00, $350.00, Couple Couple Couple $450.00 $500.00 $500.00 AnnualAnnualAnnual fees feesfees fall fallfall due duedue at atat the thethe end endend of ofof February. February.February. Payment PaymentPayment for forfor two twotwo or oror more moremore years yearsyears reduces reducesreduces handling handlinghandling and andand costs. costs.costs. MEMBERSHIPMEMBERSHIPMEMBERSHIP FORM FORMFORM – – –or oror you youyou can cancan join joinjoin online onlineonline at atat http://www.saves.asn.au/samem.php http://www.saves.asn.au/samem.phphttp://www.saves.asn.au/samem.php Date______Date______Date______Renewal RenewalRenewal ( ( ( ) ) ) New NewNew Member MemberMember ( ( ( ) )) Surname(s)Surname(s)Surname(s) including includingincluding Mr/Mrs/Ms Mr/Mrs/MsMr/Mrs/Ms etc. etc.etc. ______GivenGivenGiven name(s) name(s)name(s) or oror Initial(s) Initial(s)Initial(s) ______AddressAddressAddress ______Suburb/TownSuburb/TownSuburb/Town ______Post PostPost Code CodeCode ______PhonePhonePhone (Home) (Home)(Home) ______(Work) (Work)(Work) ______EmailEmailEmail ______(is (is(is also alsoalso used usedused to toto provide provideprovide additional additionaladditional information) information)information) Year(s)Year(s)Year(s) of ofof Birth BirthBirth (optional) (optional)(optional) ______PleasePleasePlease make makemake cheque chequecheque or oror money moneymoney order orderorder payabl payablpayablee eto toto SAVES SAVESSAVES and andand send sendsend with withwith this thisthis form formform to: to:to:

□□□ SAVES SAVESSAVES Membership MembershipMembership Officer, Officer,Officer, PO POPO Box BoxBox 2151, 2151,2151, Kent KentKent Town TownTown SA SASA 5071 50715071 OrOrOr pay paypay by byby Electronic ElectronicElectronic Funds FundsFunds Transfer: Transfer:Transfer: -- □□□ Commonwealth CommonwealthCommonwealth Bank BankBank BSB BSBBSB 065 065065 129 129129 Account AccountAccount Number NumberNumber 00901742 0090174200901742 - AndAndAnd please pleaseplease return returnreturn completed completedcompleted form formform to toto the thethe above aboveabove postal postalpostal address addressaddress to toto ensure ensureensure proper properproper identification identificationidentification of ofof your youryour payment. payment.payment.

DoDoDo you youyou wish wishwish to toto receive receivereceive the thethe Bulletin BulletinBulletin (newsletter) (newsletter)(newsletter) as asas attachment attachmentattachment in inin PDF PDFPDF format? format?format? ______HowHowHow did diddid you youyou hear hearhear about aboutabout us? us?us? ______YourYourYour area areaarea of ofof expertise expertiseexpertise that thatthat could couldcould be bebe of ofof help helphelp to toto SAVES SAVESSAVES ______OfficeOffice useuse MembershipMembershipMembership fees feesfees for forfor ______years yearsyears $ $ $______Office use DatabaseDatabase TreasurerTreasurer PlusPlusPlus donation donationdonation to toto support supportsupport t he tthehe work workwork of ofof SAVES SAVESSAVES $ $ $______Database Treasurer Total Total $$ ______Total $ ______Changes ChangesChanges Letter LetterLetter

SAVES'SAVESSAVES'SAVES' membersmembers membersmembers support supportsupport the thethe the society's society'ssociety's Society’s primary primaryprimary primary objective objectiveobjective objective which whichwhich is isiswhich a a achange changechange is a in inchangein the thethe law, law,law, inso soso the that thatthat law, in inin so thatappropriateappropriateappropriate in appropriate circumstances circumstancescircumstances circumstances and andand with withwith defined definedanddefined with safeguards, safeguards,safeguards, defined death deathdeathsafeguards, may maymay be bebe brought broughtbroughtdeath about mayaboutabout beas asas anbrought anan option optionoption aboutof ofof lastaslastlast anresort resortresort option in inin medical medicalmedical of last practice. practice. practice.resort Thesein TheseThese medical circumstances circumstancescircumstances practice. include Theseincludeinclude the circumstancesthethe free freefree and andand informed informedinformed include request requestrequest the of freeofof the thethe and informedpatientpatientpatient and and andrequest the thethe free freefree of exercise exerciseexercisethe patient of ofof professional professionalprofessional and the free medical medicalmedical exercise judgement judgementjudgement of professional and andand conscience conscienceconscience medical of ofof the thethe judgementdoctor. doctor.doctor. and conscience of the doctor. SAVESSAVES ISIS NOTNOT ABLEABLE TOTO HELPHELP PEOPLEPEOPLE ENDEND THEIRTHEIR LIVESLIVES SAVESSAVES IS IS NOT NOT ABLEABLE TO HELPHELP PEOPLE PEOPLE END END THEIR THEIR LIVES LIVES (SAVES is not associated with Dr Philip Nitschke or EXIT International) (SAVES(SAVES(SAVES is isis not notnot associated associatedassociated wit witwithh hDr DrDr Philip PhilipPhilip Nitschke NitschkeNitschke or oror EXIT EXITEXIT International) International)International) SAVES’ Primary Objective: A change to the law in South Australia so that in appropriate circumstances, and with defined safeguards, death may be brought about as an option of last resort in medical practice. These circumstances include the free and informed request of the patient and the free exercise of professional medical judgment and conscience of the doctor.

Committee: President Frances Coombe Vice Presidents Julia Anaf Arnold Gillespie

Hon. Secretary / Minutes Secretary Frances Greenwood Hon. Treasurer Vivienne Nielssen Membership Officer Elice Herraman General Member Anne Hirsch

Patrons Emeritus Professor Graham Nerlich Emeritus Professor John Willoughby

Telephone Frances Coombe 0421 305 684

Internet www.saves.asn.au

SAVES Bulletin is published three times a year by the SA Voluntary Euthanasia Society Inc. (SAVES). Letters, articles and other material for possible publication are welcome and should be sent to SAVES Bulletin Editor, SAVES, PO Box 2151, Kent Town SA 5071. The statements and views expressed by contributors do not necessarily represent SAVES official policy. Material in this publication may be freely reproduced provided it is in context and given appropriate acknowledgement. Editor: Julia Anaf

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