Philip Nitschke

Philip Nitschke

Philip Nitschke (2009)
Born 8 August 1947
Ardrossan, South Australia, Australia[1]
Education University of Adelaide (B.Sc.)
Flinders University (PhD),
University of Sydney (Sydney Medical School) (M.B.B.S.)
Years active 1988 to present
Known for Influencing euthanasia debate worldwide

Medical career

Profession Physician and author
Specialism Euthanasia medicine
Research Euthanasia and painless death
Notable prizes

Philip Haig Nitschke[2] (/ˈnɪtʃkɪ/; born 8 August 1947) is an Australian humanist, author and founder and director of the pro-euthanasia group Exit International. He campaigned successfully to have a legal euthanasia law passed in Australia's Northern Territory and assisted four people in ending their lives before the law was overturned by the Government of Australia. Nitschke says he was the first doctor in the world to administer a legal, voluntary, lethal injection.[3] Nitschke states that he and his group are regularly subject to harassment by authorities.[4][5][6] In 2014, Nitschke's medical licence was suspended on the grounds that he posed a serious risk to the public as a medical practitioner providing advice on ending life, because people may elect to commit suicide believing it to be a pathway sanctioned by a medical practitioner and perhaps the medical profession generally.

Early life and career

Born in 1947 in rural South Australia, Nitschke studied physics at the University of Adelaide, gaining a PhD from Flinders University in laser physics in 1972. Rejecting a career in the sciences, he instead travelled to the Northern Territory to take up work with the Aboriginal land rights activist Vincent Lingiari and the Gurindji at Wave Hill. After the hand-back of land by the then Prime Minister, Gough Whitlam, Nitschke became a Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife ranger. However, after badly injuring his subtalar joint, with his career as a ranger finished, he began studying for a medical degree. In addition to having long been interested in studying medicine he has suffered from hypochondria most of his adult life and futilely hoped with his medical studies to educate himself out of the problem.[7] He graduated from the University of Sydney Medical School in 1989.[2]

Since assisting four terminally ill people in ending their lives, Nitschke has provided advice to others who have ended their lives, mostly notably Nancy Crick, aged 69. On 22 May 2002, Crick, in the presence of over 20 friends and family (but not Nitschke), took a lethal dose of barbiturates, went quickly to sleep and died within 20 minutes. Nitschke had encouraged Crick to enter palliative care, which she did for a number of days before returning home again. She had undergone multiple surgeries to treat bowel cancer and was left with multiple dense and inoperable[8] bowel adhesions which left her in constant pain and frequent in the toilet with diarrhoea. She was not, however, terminally ill at the time of her death.[9][10] Nitschke said the scar tissue from previous cancer surgery had caused her suffering. "She didn't actually want to die when she had cancer. She wanted to die after she had cancer treatment," he said.[10]

A 2004 documentary film, Mademoiselle and the Doctor,[11] focused on the quest of a retired Perth professor, Lisette Nigot, a healthy 79-year-old, to seek a successful method of voluntary euthanasia. She sought advice from Nitschke. Nigot took an overdose of medication which she had bought in the United States and died, not long before her 80th birthday.[12] In a note to Nitschke, thanking him for his support, she described him as a crusader working for a worthwhile humane cause. "After 80 years of a good life, I have [had] enough of it", she wrote, "I want to stop it before it gets bad."[12]

Nitschke made headlines in New Zealand when he announced plans to accompany eight New Zealanders to Mexico where the drug Nembutal, capable of producing a fatal overdose, can be purchased legally.[13] He also made headlines, even angering some fellow right-to-die advocates, when he presented his plan to launch a "death ship" that would have allowed him to circumvent local laws by euthanising people from around the world in international waters.[14]

In the 2007 Australian federal election, Nitschke ran against the Australian politician Kevin Andrews in the Victorian seat of Menzies but was unsuccessful.[15]

On 2 May 2009 Nitschke was detained for nine hours by British Immigration officials at Heathrow Airport after arriving for a visit to the UK to lecture on voluntary euthanasia and end-of-life choices. Nitschke said it was a matter of free speech and that his detention said something about changes to British society which were "quite troubling".[16] Nitschke was told that he and his wife were detained because the workshops may contravene British law.[16] However, although assisting someone to commit suicide in the UK was illegal, the law did not apply to a person lecturing on the concept of euthanasia, and Nitschke was allowed to enter. Dame Joan Bakewell, the British government's "Voice of Older People", said that the current British law on assisted suicide was "a mess" and that Nitschke should have been made more welcome in the UK.[17]

In 2009 Nitschke helped to promote Dignified Departure, a 13-hour, pay-television program on doctor-assisted suicide in Hong Kong and mainland China. The program aired in October in China on the Family Health channel, run by the official China National Radio.[18]

Organisations opposed to euthanasia,[19][20] as well as some supporting euthanasia are critical of Nitschke and his methods.[21][22]

On 1 August 2014, after euthanasia advocate Max Bromson, 66,[23] who suffered from terminal bone cancer, ended his life with Nembutal in a Glenelg motel room, surrounded by family members, police carried out a three-hour raid on Exit International's Adelaide premises, seizing Nitschke's phones, computers and other items.[24] The items will be kept by police for up to two years, Nitschke was told by police. Nitschke, who said he feels violated by the "heavy-handed and unnecessary" police action, stated that the confiscations will cripple Exit International's activities.[24]

Suspension from practising medicine

In 2014 Nitschke was approached after a workshop by Nigel Brayley, 45. Brayley was facing ongoing questions about the death of his wife, which police were treating as suspected murder.[25] Two other female friends of his had also died, one of whom is still missing.[25][26][27][28] Nitschke recounts that Brayley rebuffed suggestions to seek counselling,[29] and had already obtained the drug Nembutal.[30] Although Nitschke was unaware of the investigation at the time, he now believes that Brayley, whom he described as a "serial killer", had made a rational decision to commit suicide rather than face long imprisonment.[30] Nitschke stated that he does not believe he could have changed Brayley's mind, that Brayley was not his patient, that Brayley was not depressed and did not seek or want Nitschke's advice.[31] The chairman of Beyondblue, Jeff Kennett, said Nitschke should have referred the man to a psychologist or psychiatrist.[32]

On 23 July 2014, as a consequence of the Brayley case, the Medical Board of Australia (MBA) voted to use emergency powers to suspend his practitioner's licence immediately, on the grounds that he presents "a serious risk to public health and safety". Nitschke said he would appeal the suspension, which he claimed was politically motivated, and that the Board "made it clear that what they really object to is the way I think. It's ideas they object to — namely, my belief that people should have a right to suicide, is something they think is contrary to medical practice."[33] The MBA later clarified that the suspension was an interim measure pending the outcome of an inquiry.[34] Nitschke said the suspension will not affect his work for Exit International and that he had not practised medicine for years.[35]

Nitschke appealed to a MBA tribunal in Darwin to have his July 2014 suspension from practising medicine overturned. In late 2014, the appeal was rejected on the grounds that although it was accepted that Brayley was not Nitschke's patient,[36] the controversial concept of rational suicide was inconsistent with the medical profession's code of conduct, and that as a medical practitioner providing advice on suicide, he posed a serious risk because people may elect to commit suicide believing it to be a pathway sanctioned by a medical practitioner and perhaps the medical profession generally.[37][38] Nitschke is appealing the tribunal's decision to the Darwin Supreme Court.[37]

Views on euthanasia

Dying with dignity

On 29 April 2009, Nitschke said: "It seems we demand humans to live with indignity, pain and anguish whereas we are kinder to our pets when their suffering becomes too much. It simply is not logical or mature. Trouble is, we have had too many centuries of religious claptrap."[39] He works mainly with older people from whom he gains inspiration, saying: "You get quite inspired and uplifted by the elderly folk who see this as quite a practical approach".[40]

In July 2009, Nitschke said he no longer believed voluntary euthanasia should only be available to the terminally ill, but that elderly people afraid of getting old and incapacitated should also have a choice.[41]

While Nitschke expects that Australia will eventually legislate for a, "very, very conservative," form of euthanasia, "certainly in the first steps",[42] he states that a growing number of people importing their own euthanasia drugs, "really don't care if the law is changed or not".[43]

Palliative care

Palliative care specialists state that many requests for euthanasia arise from fear of physical or psychological distress in the patient's last days, and that widespread and equitable availability of specialist palliative care services will reduce requests for euthanasia. Nitschke is dismissive of this argument. "We have too many people who have the best palliative care in the world and they still want to know that they can put an end to things," he said.[44] "By and large, palliative care have done pretty well out of the argument over the euthanasia issue, because they are the ones that have argued that they just need better funding and then no one will ever want to die – that's a lie."

Younger people and suicide

In 2010, the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine released a report into Australian deaths caused by the drug Nembutal, which Nitschke recommends as a euthanasia drug. Of the 51 deaths studied, 14 were of people between the ages of 20 and 40.[45] Nitschke acknowledged that the information about the drug that was provided online could be accessed by people below the age of 50 who were not terminally ill, but argued that the risk was necessary in order to help the elderly and the seriously ill.[46]

It was alleged that Joe Waterman, 25, had committed suicide after accessing Nitschke's online euthanasia handbook, by misrepresenting his age as over 50. Waterman subsequently imported Nembutal and ended his life.[47] In another case Lucas Taylor, 26, committed suicide in Germany by taking Nembutal after soliciting advice at an Exit International online forum (which, according to Nitschke, he accessed by claiming his age was 65).[48]

People's right to control their death

Nitschke believes that people's right to control death is as fundamental as their right to control life[44] and in having the "Peaceful Pill" available for every adult of sound mind.[7]

Australian censorship

Internet

For more details on this topic, see Internet censorship in Australia.

On 22 May 2009 it was disclosed in the press, citing wikileaks.org, that the Australian Government had added the online Peaceful Pill Handbook to the blacklist maintained by the Australian Communications and Media Authority used to filter internet access to citizens of Australia.[49] The Australian Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy, planned to introduce legislation just before the 2010 election to make internet service providers block a blacklist of "refused classification" websites. The blacklist is expected to include Exit's websites and other similar sites. Nitschke said the proposals were the "final nail in the coffin for euthanasia advocacy" in Australia, where people are banned from discussing end-of-life issues over the phone, buying books about it or importing printed material on it. "The one avenue we had open to us was the internet, and now it looks like it will be part of Conroy's grand plan to provide a so-called clean feed to Australia. It's outrageous."[50]

In April 2010, Nitschke began holding a series of "Hacking Masterclasses" to teach people how to circumvent the Australian internet filter.[51] Access to Nitschke's online Peaceful Pill Handbook was blocked during trials of the government's filter. A government spokeswoman said euthanasia would not be targeted by the proposed filter,[51] but confirmed that "The (website) ... for accessing an electronic version of the [Peaceful Pill Handbook] was classified as refused classification" because it provided detailed instruction in "crimes relating to the possession, manufacture and importation of barbiturates".

Nitschke said Exit International would investigate if it could set up its own proxy server or VPN tunnel, so its members had a safe way of accessing its information.[52]

Television

On 10 September 2010, Nitschke complained that the Commercials Advice self-regulator of advertising content on Australian commercial television had prevented the television screening of a paid advertisement from Exit International in which an actor depicted a dying man who requested the option of voluntary euthanasia. Commercials Advice reportedly cited Section 2.17.5 of the Commercial Television Code of Practice: Suicide. The advertisement was felt to condone the practice of suicide. Nitschke responded that the acts of Commercials Advice constitute interference with the right to free speech. Similar TV commercials, planned for use during Nitschke's Canadian lecture tour of 2010, were likewise banned by the Television Bureau of Canada, after lobbying by anti-euthanasia pressure groups.[53]

Billboards

Australia's first pro-voluntary euthanasia billboard, on the Hume Highway in western Sydney

In 2010, Nitschke planned to use billboards in Australia to feature the message "85 per cent of Australians support voluntary euthanasia but our government won't listen". In September 2010, Nitschke's billboard advertising campaign was blocked by Billboards Australia.[54] Billboards Australia cited section of the NSW Crimes Act that outlaws the aiding or abetting of suicide or attempted suicide. Nitschke was told to provide legal advice outlining how his billboard did not break this law, a request Nitschke described as "ludicrous", pointing out that the billboards urge "political change and in no way could be considered to be in breach of the crimes act".[54] Nitschke said he had sought a legal opinion from prominent human rights lawyer Greg Barns.[54] The lawyer was able to convince Billboards Australia to rescind its ruling, in part.[55]

Euthanasia techniques

Exit bag and CoGen

Nitschke created devices to aid people who want euthanasia, including a product called the "exit bag" (a large plastic bag with a drawstring allowing it to be secured around the neck) and the "CoGen" (or "Co-Genie") device. The CoGen device generates the deadly gas carbon monoxide, which is inhaled with a face mask.[56]

Euthanasia device

In December 2008 Nitschke released details of a euthanasia machine to the media. He called it "flawless" and "undetectable", saying the new process uses ordinary household products including a barbecue gas bottle — available from hardware stores — filled with nitrogen.[57] Nitschke developed a process in which patients lose consciousness immediately and die a few minutes later.

Nitschke said: "So it's extremely quick and there are no drugs. Importantly this doesn't fail – it's reliable, peaceful, available and with the additional benefit of undetectability."[58]

Barbiturate testing kit

In 2009 Nitschke made a barbiturate testing kit available, initially launched in the UK,[59] then Australia.[60] Nitschke said the kit was made available by Exit International in response to growing demand for something to test the Nembutal obtained from Mexico, often delivered in the post without labels. "They want to be sure they have the right concentration," Nitschke said. The kits have chemicals that change colour when mixed with Nembutal. He was detained for an hour for questioning on arrival at Auckland Airport in New Zealand on a trip to hold public meetings and launch the kit.[61]

Pentobarbital long-storage pill

In October 2009, Nitschke announced his intention to inform people at his workshops where to obtain a long-storage form of sodium pentobarbital (Nembutal) that manufacturers say can be stored for up to fifty years without degrading.[62] Liquid forms of pentobarbital degrade within a few years, while the solid form (a white, crystalline powder) does not. Nitschke intends to advise people on how to reconstitute the pill into liquid form for ingestion if and when it ever becomes appropriate. He said that he sees it as a way of keeping people accurately informed and allowing them to make viable choices. The provision of this information would be consistent with good medical care, in his view.[62]

Nitrogen canisters

In 2012, Nitschke started a beer-brewing company (Max Dog Brewing) for the purpose of importing nitrogen canisters. Nitschke stated that the gas cylinders can be used for both brewing and, if required, to end life at a later stage in a "peaceful, reliable [and] totally legal" manner.[63] Nitschke said, "[nitrogen] was undetectable even by autopsy, which was important to some people".[64]

An Australian anti-euthanasia campaigner complained to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) about the canisters.[65] AHPRA has undertaken to investigate. The investigation is not complete.[66]

Following a 2013 workshop showcasing Nitschke's nitrogen gas product, the AMA's WA branch president and general practitioner,[67] Richard Choong, said that he was strongly opposed to it, regardless of its technical legality, since "any machine that can help you kill yourself can be abused, misused and maliciously used".[68] Nitschke responded that without such information most elderly people who want to end their lives hang themselves, which is "an embarrassment and shame".[69]

Awards and recognition

Books

See also

References

  1. ↑ Philip Nitschke - About Exit Australia Founder
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 NITSCHKE, Philip Haig - The University of Sydney
  3. ↑ "Dr Death says Britain ignoring end-of-life needs". Reuters. 7 May 2009. Retrieved 8 May 2009.
  4. ↑ "Euthenasia group raided over suicide". The Australian. 12 November 2009. Retrieved 9 December 2009.
  5. ↑ "Euthanasia group quizzed over death". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 30 November 2009.
  6. ↑ "The World Today – Exit members threatened by raids: Nitschke 13/11/2009". www.abc.net.au. Retrieved 30 November 2009.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Between life and death". The Age. 31 August 2013. Retrieved 7 November 2013.
  8. ↑ "Radio National Breakfast – 27 May 2002 – Nancy Crick's Cancer". www.abc.net.au. Retrieved 11 October 2009.
  9. ↑ "Spotlight shifted onto Crick doctor". www.smh.com.au. 30 May 2002. Retrieved 24 May 2009.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Paget, Dale (8 June 2004). "Crick had no cancer: report – National – www.theage.com.au". Melbourne: theage.com.au. Retrieved 11 October 2009.
  11. ↑ "Mademoiselle and the Doctor". Australian Screen. 2004.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Healthy woman thanks Dr Nitschke, then kills herself – smh.com.au". www.smh.com.au. Retrieved 11 October 2009.
  13. ↑ "NZ offered Mexican Suicide Drug Trip". The Age (Melbourne). 6 February 2007.
  14. ↑ "InternationalTaskForce.org – Update – 2000, Number 2". www.internationaltaskforce.org. Retrieved 19 December 2008.
  15. ↑ "Election results for the seat of Menzies (Australian Electoral Commission)". 26 November 2007.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "BBC NEWS – Euthanasia doctor held at airport". news.bbc.co.uk. 2 May 2009. Retrieved 2 May 2009.
  17. ↑ "Welcome Dr Death, says ’spokesman’ for elderly". The Christian Institute. Retrieved 16 May 2009.
  18. ↑ "‘Dr. Death’ Nitschke Sells Euthanasia to China Before TV Show - Bloomberg.com". www.bloomberg.com. Retrieved 16 September 2009.
  19. ↑ Hiini, Robert (23 July 2014). "Curb adventurist stance on euthanasia". Catholic Weekly. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  20. ↑ Russell, Paul (21 July 2014). "Looking for the foot in the door: euphemisms in euthanasia & assisted suicide debate". National Right to Life. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  21. ↑ "Kennett says Nitschke has damaged the cause". Sky News. 24 July 2014. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  22. ↑ Hermant, Norman (24 July 2014). "Euthanasia debate, Doctor assisted death advocate Rodney Syme attacks 'maverick' Nitschke after revelations". ABC News (Australia). Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  23. ↑ "Voluntary Euthanasia Party's Max Bromson dies in Adelaide motel room after taking Nembutal". ABC. Retrieved 2014-08-07.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 "Philip Nitschke's phone seized by police investigating terminally ill man's death". The Guardian. August 2014. Retrieved 2014-08-07.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 "Nigel Brayley’s wife defends her husband against accusations of foul play in Lina Brayley’s death". News Corp. Retrieved 2015-01-17.
  26. ↑ Caitlyn Gribbin and Madeleine Morris. "Euthanasia advocate Philip Nitschke hits back after medical board suspension". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2014-07-25.
  27. ↑ "Dr Philip Nitschke suspended from practice over allegations he helped Perth man Nigel Brayley commit suicide". PerthNow. Retrieved 2014-07-24.
  28. ↑ Paige Taylor. "Philip Nitschke linked to wife-killer Nigel Brayley". The Australian. Retrieved 2014-07-23.
  29. ↑ "Euthanasia campaigner Philip Nitschke may be suspended". SMH. Retrieved 2014-07-18.
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 "Medical board wants Nitschke struck off". Herald Sun. Retrieved 2014-07-19.
  31. ↑ "Euthanasia advocate Philip Nitschke hits out at 'midnight assassination'". 7 News. Retrieved 2014-07-24.
  32. ↑ Hagan, Kate (5 July 2014). "Jeff Kennett slams Philip Nitschke for helping man without a terminal illness to die". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  33. ↑ Euthanasia advocate Philip Nitschke suspended by the Australian Medical Board "Euthanasia advocate Philip Nitschke suspended by the Australian Medical Board". ABC News. 24 July 2014. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  34. ↑ Karlis Salna. "Euthanasia campaigner Nitschke will appeal". Herald Sun. Retrieved 2014-07-24.
  35. ↑ Julia Medew. "Euthanasia advocate Philip Nitschke banned from practising medicine". SMH. Retrieved 2014-09-03.
  36. ↑ "Nitschke's Appeal to the NT Health Professional Review Tribunal" (PDF). AMA. Retrieved 2015-01-19.
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 "Philip Nitschke heads to supreme court to fight for his medical licence". The Guardian. Retrieved 2015-01-17.
  38. ↑ Gribbin, Caitlyn (6 January 2015). "Philip Nitschke fails to overturn suspension from practising medicine". ABC News. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  39. ↑ "The Press Association: 'Dr Death' to show DIY suicide kit". www.google.com. Retrieved 30 April 2009.
  40. ↑ Saffron Howden (July 2009). "His choice to live or die". Lismore Northern Star. Retrieved 2 July 2009.
  41. ↑ "Give all elderly the right to die – Nitschke". News Corp. 8 July 2009. Retrieved 8 July 2009.
  42. ↑ Paul Russell (19 Feb 2014). "The conspicuous silence from euthanasia activists about Belgium’s horrific child euthanasia law". Retrieved 21 February 2014.
  43. ↑ "News Package Euthanasia". 4ZZZ Brisbane FM. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
  44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 "Does the freedom to die enhance lives?". Irish Medical Times. Retrieved 30 March 2010.
  45. ↑ Medew, Julia. (15 February 2010). "Young people gain access to euthanasia drug". '"Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  46. ↑ Medew, Julia. (15 February 2010). "The Death Trap". The Age. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  47. ↑ Gribbin, Caitlyn; Owens, Dale. (3 July 2014). "Euthanasia advocate Philip Nitschke criticised over support for 45-year-old who committed suicide". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Accessed 3 July 2014.
  48. ↑ Stephanie Chalkley-Rhoden. "Exit International forum coached young man to his death, mother claims". ABC. Retrieved 2014-07-26.
  49. ↑ Duffy, Michael (22 May 2009). "Web filtering pulls plug on euthanasia debate". smh.com.au. Retrieved 22 May 2009.
  50. ↑ Moses, Asher (16 December 2009). "Big Brother laws to be brought in for web". The Age (Melbourne). Retrieved 16 December 2009.
  51. ↑ 51.0 51.1 Bennett, Cortlan (4 April 2010). "Euthanasia workshops 'to fight filter'". smh.com.au. Retrieved 5 April 2010.
  52. ↑ Jacobsen, Geesche (6 April 2010). "Elderly learn to beat euthanasia firewall". smh.com.au. Retrieved 6 April 2010.
  53. ↑ Perreaux, Les (27 September 2010). "Ad campaign for assisted suicide banned from Canadian airwaves – The Globe and Mail". Toronto: theglobeandmail.com. Retrieved 28 September 2010.
  54. ↑ 54.0 54.1 54.2 Rose, Danny (15 September 2010). "Another blow for euthanasia campaign". smh.com.au. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  55. ↑ "Euthanasia billboard approved". smh.com.au. 4 October 2010. Retrieved 4 October 2010.
  56. ↑ "Nitschke launches suicide machine – smh.com.au". www.smh.com.au. 3 December 2002. Retrieved 19 December 2008.
  57. ↑ Wheatley, Kim (17 December 2008). "AdelaideNow... Dr Philip Nitschke launches 'flawless' euthanasia device". www.news.com.au. Retrieved 18 December 2008.
  58. ↑ Wheatley, Kim (18 December 2008). "Doctor Philip Nitschke to launch 'undetectable' death machine". The Australian.
  59. ↑ Doward, Jamie (29 March 2009). "'Dr Death' sells euthanasia kits in UK for £35". London: guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 31 May 2009.
  60. ↑ "Nitschke unveils new euthanasia aid". ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). Retrieved 19 June 2009.
  61. ↑ "Nitschke held over drug kits in NZ". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. July 2009. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
  62. ↑ 62.0 62.1 "Nitschke to promote illegal pill – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)". www.abc.net.au. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  63. ↑ Sexton, Mike (18 December 2012). "Euthanasia campaigner under scrutiny". ABC. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
  64. ↑ Orr, Aleisha (3 May 2013). "Euthanasia group to show West Aussies how to die 'well'". WAToday. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  65. ↑ Shanahan, Dennis (31 August 2012). "Euthanasia expert Philip Nitschke accused of gas import scam". The Australian. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
  66. ↑ "'Dr Death' to fight nitrogen complaint". Nine MSN. 3 May 2013. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
  67. ↑ Courtney Trenwith. "'Horrendous, hidden' waiting list new priority for AMA WA". Fairfax. Retrieved 2013-05-07.
  68. ↑ "AMA outraged over euthanasia device". ABC. 5 May 2013. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
  69. ↑ "Outrage over euthanasia advocate Philip Nitschke and killing machine". 2013-05-06. Retrieved 2013-05-06.
  70. ↑ "The Peaceful Pill Handbook Refused Classification upon review" (PDF). Classification Review Board. 24 February 2007. p. 1. Retrieved 4 May 2007.
  71. ↑ "The Peaceful Pill Handbook Banned". OFLC. 10 June 2007. Retrieved 28 January 2008.
  72. ↑ Office of Film & Literature Classification decision

External links