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e-Deliverance Information + Knowledge = Choice Dec - Jan Exit International 2010-11 Exit Billboard Posted On 11 October this year, Exit International was “I find this billboard to be entirely offensive be- responsible for another Australian first, this cause it is advertising and promoting activity time concerning the erection of the country’s which is illegal and fatal to anyone who acts on first pro-Voluntary Euthanasia billboard on the it ie SUICIDE!!! I am of the understanding that Hume Highway in western Sydney. it is illegal to advertise illegal activity or any activity which might incite violent activity in the Despite initial legal problems - was the bill- community. If suicide isn’t violent, kindly, please board message actively inciting suicide? - the explain this to me?” billboard initiative followed the banned ‘Exit Choices’ TVC, promoting the VE message of She continued: law reform to the Australian com- “The billboard munity. is misleading the public with unsub- However, no stantiated claims sooner was and the Govern- the billboard ment should not launched than permit pro-eutha- complaints were nasia groups to submitted to get their way into the Advertising the public arena.” Standards Bu- reau. Mrs Gresser followed suit, writ- The ASB is the ing: self-regulatory industry body “Publicly claim- which oversees ing that Austral- the AANA Ad- ians support euthanasia is an attack on the elderly vertiser Code of Ethics. The complaints were and ill members of our society. I know a number filed under Section 2 of the Code. of elderly people who feel that this billboard puts p r e s s u r e Of the handful of complaints received, two on them to were made in an anonymous capacity under the kill them- INSIDE title ‘confidentiality requested’. In plain Eng- selves so as lish this means that Exit will never know the not to be a 1 Exit Billboard Posted people behind these complaints. burden on 2 Conviction Quashed others. It is 3 Tas Parliament Delays Reply The remaining complaints were made by a Mrs a disgrace- 3 Legislative News Jane Gresser and Andrea Calilhanna, represent- ful and un 3 PPeH Update: Nov/Dec 2010 ing the group ‘Austral- Australian 4 News from North America ians Against Euthana- billboard.” 4 Membership Renewals sia’ which she alleges 4 BBC Radio Wales on Exit ‘started late September One of the 5 Mona Opening 2010 ... [and] now has anonymous 5 Position Vacant at Exit Office over 640 members’. c o m p l a i n - 5 Exitorial ants took is- 6 Bath Literature Festival 2011 Andrea Callihanna sue with the 6 Chapter Planning Weekend wrote: statistic used 7 Safe Exit Workshop Dates 2011 8 Exit Store - Join Exit Form Cont p. 2 + Flyer: Workshop Registration Form Conviction Quashed Will the Crown now leave well enough alone? It was a day of mixed emotions for Exit Director Dr bars, Caren Philip Nitschke when he learned that Shirley Justins decided to take had had her conviction for the manslaughter of Exit matters into member, Graeme Wylie, quashed following an appeal her own hands. in the NSW Court of Appeal. The conviction was She drank her quashed because the Court found that the trial judge bottle of Nem- - Justice butal before Roderick sentencing. Howie - The thought had erred of spending in his her precious directions final days away to the from those she jury. loved was too much to bear. While this was The real trag- indeed edy in this en- good tire case is that news for Caren has now Shirley, it died prema- was very turely. Were she Crown Prosecutor Mark Tedeschi QC sad news alive today she, too, would have had her conviction for Caren quashed, since the two cases were heard together. Jenning’s daughter, Whether or not the Director of Prosecutions will Kate Jen- instigate a new trial for Shirley remains unknown. Shirley Justins during the trial with her legal team ning. Exit suspects that Shirley will now be left in peace. The personal cost to this brave and strong woman This is because Shirley’s long-time friend and devoted has been enormous. The political nature of the initial supporter of Exit, Caren Jenning, had also been found trial and the actions of the Wylie daughters (from a guilty of the manslaughter of her friend Graeme. previous marriage) in regard to Graeme Wylie’s es- However, because Caren was extremely ill (with ter- tate, made the case one of public interest where the minal breast cancer) and because she did not want message of ‘end-of-life choice’ was sadly lost. to spend her remaining weeks or months behind

Exit Billboard Posted (cont) complainants took issue with the statistic writ- This was one of many points that Exit Interna- ing: tional was forced to defend to the ASB when we submitted our formal response to the com- [The billboard] “states as fact some statistics plaints received by the Bureau and which were that are highly debatable”. then considered by their Board.

The final complainant thought that VE was “un- While preparation of a defense was time-con- suitable material for a public space” saying: suming and detracted from Exit’s daily activi- ties (this is no doubt what our opponents want- “it is frightening to children, the aged and the ed), it was ultimately satisfying to see every one disabled, it makes you think will I be safe should of the complaints dismissed and the billboard I ever become ill?” allowed to continue its month-long posting on the Hume Highway. The statistic used in the billboard message was taken from a 2009 national Newspoll of 1201 The Sydney Morning Herald article on the bill- adult Australians. The full results were reported board can be found at: http://bit.ly/eGQMCP in The Australian newspaper on 26 October 2009. The ABC TV Stateline (NSW) segment on the same can be viewed at: http://bit.ly/einjGY 2. Tassie Parliament Delays Decision on Citizen’s Right of Reply As this edition of Deliverance goes to press, the dress the damage to his reputation and have his reply Parliament of Tasmania continues to deliberate on recorded on the Parliament’s Hansard. To date, the whether to award Dr Philip Nitschke a Citizen’s Secretary of the Privileges Committee has respond- Right of Reply in regard to defamatory remarks ed stating that a response is not yet available. The made during hearings of that Parliament’s Joint Stand- most recent correspondence of 8 November 2010 ing Committee on Community stated that the matter ‘is still being Development in August 2009. considered by the Committee’.

The politicians concerned in the When Philip applied for a Citizen’s defamation are: Mr Brett Whiteley Right of Reply in the Australian (Liberal for Braddon who lost Parliament as a result of defama- his seat in the March 2010 elec- tion by Senator Stephen Conroy tion, ) and Mr Nick McKim (then his Reply was published within the Greens member for Franklin the month. In that Parliament, and now Minister for Sustainable the defamation occurred on 24 Transport and Alternative Energy, Parliament House Hobart May 2010. On 3 June, Dr Nitschke Minister for Climate Change, Minister for Human wrote requesting a Right of Reply. By 22 June 2010, Services, Minister for Community Development and his reply had been accepted and published. Minister for Corrections and Consumer Protection in the Bartlett minority Labor government). One wonders, therefore, how the Parliament of Tasmania can justify taking so long in addressing the The exchange between these two politicians took matter before them? Fifteen months should surely place on 24 August 2009. Since 7 September 2009, be enough time for a decision? This is, after all, the Dr Nitschke has been seeking a Right of Reply to ad- Parliament of Australia’s smallest State. Legislative News With the new rules and protocols now in full swing person to request in the Australian Parliament, Private Member’s Bills to end their life. have emerged a big winner, even if they are not yet With amendments affecting legislation in the main. being submitted right up to the One of the most high profile Private Member’s Bills vote, Dr Nitschke is that of Greens Leader Bob Brown. Known as the later told Sky ‘Restoring Territory Rights (Voluntary Euthanasia News: ‘‘The loss Legislation)’, the legislation aims to overturn the will disappoint Kevin Andrews Act which prevents Australian Territo- many elderly South ries from making laws on Voluntary Euthanasia. Australians ... Many will feel the political While the Bill has experienced some debate in the process has failed Senator Bob Brown with Exit Condo- Senate, this was interrupted on 18 November when them and seek their lence Books at Parliament House on the Day of Shame - March 2007 the Coalition and Victorian Family First Senator, own end of life solu- Steve Fielding blocked further debate on the Parlia- tions.’ ment’s last sitting day for 2010. PPeH Update - Nov/Dec 2010 In response, Senator Brown has vowed to re-insti- The Nov/Dec 2010 update to The Peaceful Pill gate parliamentary debate in early 2011. eHandbook is now available at www.peacefulpill.com & includes: Voluntary Euthanasia has also been prominent in the Parliaments of some States this month. On • Latest News on China vs Mexican Nembutal 24 November, Dr Nitschke rushed to Adelaide to • News from regional Thailand witness what many thought would be a landmark • Discussion & Analysis of Liquid vs Powder in that State’s legislative history. The bill which was • Darvon Alternatives? introduced by Greens MP, Mark Parnell and Labor • MP, Steph Key, was intended to amend the Consent Subscribe now at www.PeacefulPill.com to Medical Treatment and Palliative Care Act, to allow a

3. News from North America Exit’s second annual tour of Canada was again very successful, attracting large crowds in both Vancouver and Toronto with a smaller meeting being held at extremely late notice in Montreal.

In all cities, the venue was the Unitarian Church of that city. These congregations are well known for their liberal attitudes and open-mindedness on emotive issues such as VE and assisted suicide. Exit remains grateful for the support of these venues.

Philip speaking with Chinese-language Canadian TV from Dr Nitschke. For reasons unknown, the lack of a visa meant the untimely cancellation of Exit meetings in San Francisco, Orlando and New York.

Exit has tentatively rescheduled these meetings for April 2011 in the expectation that the current visa situation will be resolved. It would be a great pity indeed if the Land of the Free, where freedom of speech is enshrined in the Constitution, were to forbid Dr Nitschke entry, simply because of the views he holds. Philip Nitschke after the Toronto meeting

Of particular note during this tour was the front page coverage of Exit’s Toronto meeting in the Na- tional Post newspaper (one of Canada’s two national dailies). This coverage created a flow of other media and many letters and emails from folk who support the Exit philosophy of end-of-life choices and a person’s right to the best information.

In contrast to the warm response enjoyed by Exit in Canada, was the decision of officers at the Mel- bourne and Sydney US Consulates to withhold a visa At the press conference before the Toronto workshop

Exit Membership Renewals BBC Radio Wales Features Exit If your annual membership of Exit is now due, you In late October, Dr Philip Nitschke featured on will find a renewal notice enclosed with this edition BBC Radio Wales program, The Irritated Consultant. of Deliverance. In Series 3, retired urologist and host, Christine Evans, investigated the medical, legal and moral Please stay with us in leading the way in all things Vol- minefield of whether carers should now be al- untary Euthanasia, from advocating for sensible law lowed to help someone terminally ill end their life reform to providing the best and most up to date in dignity. end of life choices information. The segment was widely broadcast and led Exit to confirm its forthcoming meeting and workshop at the Friends House in Cardiff on 24 February 2011.

If you are interested in attending this meeting, please email Exit at [email protected] or phone 02071-931-557 for details.

4. Mona Gallery Opening Exitorial The year has been one which has focused overwhelm- ingly upon issues of censorship. This started with the Exit campaign against the Australian Government’s plans to introduce mandatory Internet censorship for all Australian PC users, and led on to our battles concerning the restriction of our TV commercial and bill- boards in Australia and Canada.

Attempts to silence Exit’s message of choice have worked both for and against us. We have benefitted in that these actions have provided us with media coverage we would otherwise never have been able to afford. And the Exit message of support for Voluntary Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide has been heard by more people than ever.

In late January 2011, Australia’s new Museum of Old But the politicking of those ideologically opposed to choice have also worked against us. We have had to and New Art (Mona) will open in Hobart. mount campaigns to counter the Australian Govern- ment’s ‘Clean Feed’ policy, and this has diverted ef- Occupying custom-built Pavillions on the banks of forts and funds away from our core business of provid- the Derwent, Mona will become Australia’s largest ing the best, most accurate and up-to-date information privately-funded arts and culture initiative. on end of life choices.

Exit is excited to be involved in this new Museum. One consequence of this diversion was that time in Our contribution to Mona is currently under embar- the Exit laboratory was cut short. Despite this, the go but we hope to bring Exit members a full expose year brought critical developments in a number of key areas, including drug testing, the development of the on the Museum’s opening and Exit’s involvement in new nitrogen system, and the manufacture and use the next edition of Deliverance. of gases like carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide.

Mona opens 21 January 2011, accompanied by Mona The fact that 2010 was spent with more balls than ever Foma - a celebration of music headlined by Philip in the air has also added pressures to staff and vol- Glass and Nick Cave’s, Grinderman. unteers; and I am very grateful for their efforts. Fortu- nately, we now head into the holiday season with the Mona can be found at: 655 Main Rd, Berridale Ho- news that the ‘Clean Feed’ policy has been postponed bart, Tasmania or at: http://mona.net.au/ and this brings us precious time to think about how Exit might evolve in the new year and beyond. Position Vacant Despite the attempts by the authorities to thwart our use of technology, I feel the future of voluntary eutha- Melbourne Exit Office nasia and assisted suicide is clearly digital and will In 2011, Exit International will need a casual (~10 be Internet based. The forthcoming launch of Exit’s Peaceful Pill Discussion Forums will shift the paradigm hours per week) Book-keeper/ Administrative Assist- of how end of life choices information is disseminated ant in the Doncaster office. to our members and supporters. Get set to make new friends and have new conversations, irrespective of If you are committed to the Exit philosophy, have your geographic location. administrative experience, are self-motivated, are a team-player and are happy to work unsupervised In 2011 Exit will continue to bring our message to more when needed, then we want to hear from you. people in more countries with our flagship ‘Safe Exit’ workshop program. Face-to-face meetings have al- If you are interested, please call Lindy Boyd on 0438- ways been as much about information transfer as they 316-817 or email [email protected] are about meeting people in the flesh; hearing their jokes and laughter, as well as listening to their problems and feeling their pain. This is set to continue.

Finally, on a personal note, 2010 has been my first year of married life. My partnership with Fiona Stewart as my wife and colleague, intertwines my personal and professional life. This unique partnership has been of immense benefit, not only to me, but to all of our members. Happy Holidays & a safe New Year!

5. Bath Literature Festival 2011 The Big Debate Should Britain legalise assisted suicide? Improvements in medicine and palliative care allow many patients to live far longer than had previously been expected. This is often expensive, exhausting, and unwanted. Some people simply want to die. But assisted suicide is still illegal in this country.

Should the law be changed to allow voluntary euthanasia or is human life sacred no matter how poor its quality?

In this extraordinary session Sarah LeFanu talks to Dr Philip Nitschke of Exit International (author of The Peaceful Pill Handbook) Christina Odone, and Bishop Richard Harries on the subject of medical ethics.

Sarah LeFanu is a writer, broadcaster and was previously a founding artistic director of the Bath Festival. She currently presents BBC Radio 4’s ‘A Good Read’.

WHEN: Monday 28 Feb 2011 AT: 1–2pm WHERE: Guildhall, Bath, UK WEB: http://www.bathlitfest.org.uk

The Guildhall, Bath COST: £7 (£6 concession) Chapter Coordinators Planning Weekend held in Sydney The third annual Exit Chapter Coordinators planning weekend was held in November in Sydney. With the majority of Coordinators attending, the weekend was split between socialising and networking and solid sessions of learning, eg. how to use the new Webinar equipment that Exit has supplied to all chapters.

This annual event has become a staple on the Exit calendar and provides an important opportunity for Coordinators from all over the country (and NZ) to get together, exchange information and advice on how local groups can be run in ways that best suit the local members. Val Butler (Sth Highlands), Carol O’Neill (WA), Julia Harrison (SA) watching the Webinar demonstration

Exit Contact Exit International tel. 1300-10-3948 (EXIT) (Aust only) tel. (UK) 02071-931-557 tel. (US) 1-248-809-4435 tel. (Aust) +61-3-9850-8192 tel. (NZ) 09-889-0964 fax. (Aust) +61-2-9805-9249 [email protected] www.exitinternational.net Attending Chapter Coordinator at Fitzroy Gardens, www.peacefulpill.com Potts Point in Sydney

6. Safe Exit Workshop Dates January - July 2011 Hobart, Tasmania Cardiff, Wales Thursday 20 January, 11 - 4pm Thursday 24 February, 1 - 5pm Glenorchy Civic Centre Friends Meeting House Cooper St, Glenorchy 43 Charles St, Cardiff

Perth, Western Australia London, UK Tuesday 25 January, 11 - 4pm Saturday 26 February, 2.15 - 5.45pm The Boulevard Centre Dragon Hall, 17 Stukeley St 99 The Boulevard, Floreat London WC2B 5LT

Adelaide, South Australia Canberra, ACT Thursday 27 January, 1.30 - 6pm Saturday 12 March, 11am - 4pm The Fullarton Centre Griffin Centre 411 Fullarton Rd, Fullarton 20 Genge St, Canberra City

Brisbane, Queensland Sydney, NSW Saturday 29 January, 11 - 4pm Wednesday 16 March, 11am - 4pm Toowong Senior Citizens Association Dougherty Community Centre 9 Maryvale St, Toowong 7 Victor St, Chatswood

Byron Bay, New South Wales Melbourne, Vic Monday 31 January, 11am - 4pm Friday 8 July, 11am - 4pm Mullum Civic Memorial Hall The Toorak Library Dalley St, Mullumbimby 340 Toorak Rd, Sth Yarra

Sunshine Coast, Queensland Bendigo, Vic Wednesday 2 February 9.30am - 2pm Saturday 9 July, 11am - 4pm Bicentennial Centre Bendigo Bank Theatre Bicentennial Dve, Sunshine Beach 50 View St, Bendigo

Dublin, Ireland Thursday 17 February, 1 - 5pm Other Cities to Follow Seomra Spraoi, 10 Belvedere Crt A second round of meetings and workshops will Dublin 1, Ireland be held in late 2011. This second tour will include:

Belfast, Northern Ireland • Auckland (NZ) Saturday 19 February, 1 - 5pm • Wellington (NZ) The Community Arts Forum • Nelson (NZ) 15 Church St, Belfast BT1 1PG • Sydney (NSW) • Central Coast (NSW) Eastbourne, UK • Townsville (Qld) Monday 21 February, 1.30 - 5pm • Cairns (Qld) Sovereign Harbour Yacht Club The Crumbles Pevensey Bay Rd Dates and venues will be announced in forthcom- Eastbourne BN23 6JH ing editions of Deliverance. Nth America Workshop Dates 2011 Exit Safe Exit Workshop dates will be announced Visa permitting, Exit meetings will be as soon as the status of Dr Nitschke’s US visa held on both coasts of the US as soon is known. Exit will hold meetings in the second as possible. For details, see: half of 2011 in Vancouver & Toronto in Canada. http://www.exitinternational.net/page/Workshops

7. Exit US Store Mail Order: Box 4250 Bellingham WA 98227 USA Fax 1-360-844-1501 Phone: 1-248-809-4435

Print Edition (Oct 2010) - The Peaceful Pill Handbook (ONLY available from Exit US) Within US: US$30 (includes shipping) Rest of World : US$40 (includes shipping)

Exit Online Store - www.Peacefulpill.com

Exit Drug Test Kit Price: Australia US$65 (incl GST $5) Rest of World: US$80 (incl shipping worldwide)

The Peaceful Pill eHandbook (ONLINE EDITION) Price: US$75 (incl 24 months of updates) - INSTANT ACCESS - UPDATED MONTHLY

Exit Gas Flow Controls + Plumbers Tape + Plastic Tube Price: Australia US$65 (incl GST $5) Rest of World: US$80 (incl shipping worldwide) (now includes registered international airmail globally/ express post in Aust)

Exit Pressure Gauge - US$60 (globally) (now includes registered international airmail globally/ express post in Aust)

Betty Bag Kit DVD (ONLY available from Exit US) US$55 (includes shipping worldwide) (includes registered international airmail globally/ ) Available 1 January 2011

Join Exit International & Order Form I wish to join/ rejoin/ donate to Exit International (12 Months: Aust - AUD$110 inclu GST $10; US/Canada US$100; £62/ €73) Life membership - donations of $1000 Please send me the paperwork to consider Exit International in my Will

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