"Hospitals are the only place for end of life pain management."
Alan B.

Not so. My late partner who ultimately died in hospital, because that was her wish, had her pain quite successfully managed at home by very competent palliative care nurses, assisted by myself. In fact, from my observation, pain management in hospitals leaves a bit to be desired, they wait for the pain to develop and then treat it, whereas the palliative care providers aim to keep ahead of it. Not all hospitals have specialist palliative care doctors.

David

Yes David, if you say so. And no doubt there some CCTV backing your claims?

That said, we have hospitals with no doctors, let alone, specialists in palliative care and in some cases, towns without hospitals or doctors even.

None of which changes the status quo, or makes the publicity seeking Senator's case for him.
Alan B.

No one has addressed this part of David's article.

"But the people of the NT and ACT are denied any chance to pursue their own democratic approach.

I have a bill in the federal parliament that would overturn the Andrews bill and allow the parliaments of the territories to come to their own conclusions about assisted suicide. I'll be pushing this bill hard this year. Those in favour of assisted suicide will support my bill, but I am also seeking support from those who oppose assisted suicide but nonetheless believe the territories should be free to debate and amend their own laws"

Discuss.

The good Senator remains free to top himself anytime he chooses, and with an eaten weapon of his choice?

Say a seven shot lever action adler, just to be sure he has enough gun and an extra two shells if first five fail? We need assisted suicide like a hole in the head, always providing there's something up there large enough to accommodate the suggested target practise?

Afterward we can play hide the pea under the shell?
Alan B.

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Dear NathanJ.,

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You wrote :

« … most Australians are always free, most of the time. I can dance under the stars..... I can walk on a foodpath..... I can go shopping.... and there I thousands of other things I could list here, that I can freely do … Personally, I am totally against any type of suicide or euthanasia for a range of reasons (particularly as neither is voluntary) and I would recommend, that if someone feels in any form that their life in unstable or in a mode of concern that they get professional help or advice »
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As I am a total stranger to you, Nathan, I know absolutely nothing about you, your life, or your motivations. Who am I to judge if you were justified or not in committing suicide or seeking euthanasia if you were to do so ?

Only those who have had similar experiences to yours could really understand.

The best I could do would be to use my faculty of reason and my propensity for empathy before forming an opinion.

I am intrigued by your affirmation that “for a range of reasons” you (like “most Australians”) are “free … most of the time” but that neither suicide nor euthanasia are “voluntary” acts. Forced? Accidental?

Perhaps you consider them to be “compulsive” acts, acts that are irrational and contrary to one's will. But, if so, how do you explain such a “compulsion” ? Is it not a natural instinct ? The ultimate natural defence against unbearable suffering ?

I am also intrigued that you are “against any type of suicide or euthanasia for a range of reasons” – only !

Apparently, there is no room for “empathy” in your approach, or, if there is, you make no mention of it. Perhaps, that is the clue to your position on suicide and euthanasia.

I am not suggesting that you might possibly be suffering from any sort of mental disorder but I think the following article sheds some light on different degrees of empathy in different people :

http://www.researchgate.net/publication/260005231_Dissociating_the_ability_and_propensity_for_empathy

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Dear diver dan,

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You wrote :

« I think euthanasia is a conspiracy by the medical fraternity to increase their riches, (which already are obscene by community standards) and wrest control of all medical conditions able to be exploited for profit, not currently captured »
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That’s a sweeping statement that’s not worthy of you, diver dan. I’m sure you know better than that. There are surely some rogues whom I consider to be dangerous criminals among the private sector healthcare providers but not so in the public sector.
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You then remarked :

« Where is the reference to our current astronomical suicide rate in Australia? Seems Australians are quite successful at it without outside help, thanks Doc! »
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That’s not worthy of you either. The object of euthanasia is simply to provide the means of a calm, peaceful and painless death, preferably in a warm, cosy environment – not to increase the national suicide rate or render it more “successful”.

As a matter of fact, the suicide rate has decreased in Switzerland, which is the only country in the world that practices full “assisted suicide”, not just euthanasia for the terminally ill. The relevant legislation was introduced in 1937 but it was not until the 1980s that it was implemented by setting up assisted suicide agencies, which are now thriving.

A referendum in the Canton of Zurich in 2011 confirmed overwhelming support for the practice.
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Dear Is Mise,

You wrote :

« I have a bill in the federal parliament that would … allow the parliaments of the territories to come to their own conclusions about assisted suicide »

I was unaware of your legislative activity in the federal parliament and heartily approve of your initiative. In fact, I doubly approve of it. I approve assisted suicide because it is not imposed on anybody but simply an option offered to those who seek it of their own free will. I also approve of it because I consider that the Australian territories should be free to debate and amend their own laws.

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