Tasmania Acknowledges The Potential For Elder Abuse

Good for some politicians in Tasmania – understanding the plight of the elderly and how vulnerable they are to abuse – abuse that will loom larger if assisted suicide and euthanasia are ever legalized.

Tasmania launches elder abuse initiative

News from Tasmanian Premier Lara Gidding's website talks about the launch of the Tasmanian Elder Abuse helpline. An undoubtedly worthwhile initiative, the helpline is set against a background where, as the media release observes: “It is estimated up to 4200 older Tasmanians suffer physical, emotional verbal or financial abuse at the hands of someone close to them.” This is set to increase statistically as Tasmania moves towards a peak population cohort of over-65s in 2021, totalling one in four Tasmanians. more

Tasmania Composes Bill Favoring Euthanasia

Those Tasmanian devils are at it again – trying to put a parliamentary bill together to legalize euthanasia. Stay tuned . . .

Tasmania on track to legalise euthanasia

Tasmania may be on track to become the first state in Australia to legalise euthanasia, as Premier Lara Giddings and Greens Leader Nick McKim prepare a Private Members' Bill, reports The Mercury. more

Aussie Dr. Death Pushes For Assisted Suicide Clinic In Tasmania

Here's an Australian Broadcasting Corporation report on Aussie Dr. Death Philip Nitschke's idea of setting up assisted suicide clinics in Tasmania if (as he hopes) if Tasmania's laws are changed this year.

Tasmania Totters Towards Legalized Killing

It's not a done deal yet, by a long shot, but there's at least a chance that Tasmania will collapse into the cesspool of legalizing not only assisted suicide but euthanasia.

State to push for mercy killing

TASMANIA is poised to become the first state to legalise voluntary euthanasia and to allow "death with dignity" clinics to operate.

Labor Premier Lara Giddings told The Australian late yesterday she was committed to working with the Greens to prepare a private member's bill for voluntary euthanasia.

"The Leader of the Tasmanian Greens (Nick) McKim and I will continue to progress this initiative as private members and plan to issue a consultation paper towards the end of the year," she said. more

New Tasmania Premier Is A Pro-Deather

The pro-deathers will no doubt be back now that they have a prominent politician who thinks killing people is just dandy. If you live in Tasmania, be afraid, very afaid.

Tasmania’s new premier backs euthanasia

The new Premier of the Australian state of Tasmania has promised to back a voluntary euthanasia bill. Lara Giddings, a 38-year-old career Labor politician, has stepped into the leadership after David Bartlett resigned to spend more time with his young family. more

My Bad & Thanks To My Dear Colleague Alex

My good friend and esteemed colleague Alex Schadenberg notes a flub on my blog (post immediately below) - my joy at a politician "getting it" was not Canadian, but Tasmanian. Thanks, oh great guy. Alex is the go-to guy on things assisted suicide/euthanasia in Canada & increasingly internationally. Follow him here at the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition and his blog here.

Pro-Deather Old Lies In Tasmania

Ya know, I’m getting really, REALLY tired of the “pain and suffering” pro-deather point. If people die in unbearable pain and suffering, it’s because their doltish doctors are pretty clueless, usually, about palliative care and advanced pain management. They trot this argument out because the average reader, uninformed, swallows the lie hook, line, and death clinic.

Euthanasia Bill given support

TASMANIANS deserve the right to die with dignity, says a national euthanasia advocate.

YourLastRight chairman Neil Francis arrived in Tasmania yesterday in a bid to rally support for Tasmania's Dying With Dignity Bill, which is currently subject to public consultation.

Mr Francis said passing the legislation could give terminally ill Tasmanians the option to die without pain and suffering. more

The Pro-Deather "Autonomy" Lie

Ah, yes, people dying on their own terms. Let’s change the context: John Q. Citizen died today, on his own terms. He always thought traffic laws were oppressive & discriminatory. Yesterday he exercised his human right to autonomy and drove the wrong way on the interstate, where he died in a head-on collision. What a bunch of phonies these pro-deathers are!

Dad died on his own terms with his family around him

ROBERT CORDOVER was a marine biologist who spoke seven languages, loved music and theatre and had lived all over the world. So when the time came for him to die he wanted to do it on his own terms.

Diagnosed with the progressive illness motor neurone disease in 2008, he first lost his capacity to speak followed by his ability to swallow properly.

''His mind was still intact but he couldn't speak and then he lost use of the valve between his oesophagus and windpipe, so he choked constantly,'' his son Gideon said.

''First he was choking on food, then on air and saliva.

''It was a horrendous disease to watch. We were just watching him wasting, knowing that there was no chance of recovery.''

Mr Cordover, who lived in rural Tasmania, sought advice about euthanasia, to no avail.

''He started asking his doctors for advice but nobody would help him,'' his son said. ''Doctors fear litigation.'' He eventually approached Melbourne doctor and euthanasia advocate Rodney Syme for assistance and was provided with medication which would hasten his death. more

Tasmanian Authorities Chicken Out

Well this is how it goes . . . The pro-deathers in Tasmania have kept at it long enough that the Tasmanian Government is seriously considering legalizing assisted suicide and euthanasia. And, just like in the UK, although assisted suicide/euthanasia is currently illegal and punishable, the authorities are declining to proclaim another “heroic” doctor who admits helping someone kick the bucket.

Police drop death inquiry

The news was welcomed yesterday by Attorney-General Lara Giddings and Greens leader Nick McKim, who said their proposed new laws to legalise euthanasia would end confusion for police, doctors and families.

Voluntary euthanasia advocate and Melbourne doctor Rodney Syme was investigated by Tasmania Police over the death of Allens Rivulet man Rob Cordover.

Mr Cordover, also a passionate supporter of euthanasia, died surrounded by his family in June last year after a nine-month battle with motor neurone disease.

Dr Syme admitted helping Mr Cordover to take his life by giving him advice and medication. more

Speaking Out Against The Tasmanian Push For Assisted Suicide

I don’t think clergy speak out strongly enough about the evils of assisted sucide and euthanasia. Here’s an exception, addressing the renewed push for assisted suicide in Tasmania.

Australian prelate speaks out against euthanasia

After Tasmania’s attorney general spoke in favor of a bill that would permit euthanasia in the Australian state, Archbishop Adrian Doyle of Hobart denounced her support of the measure. more

Tasmania Tries To Legalize Death Again

The Northern Territory of Aussie is hell-bent on legalizing assisted suicide and euthanasia, and the Tasmanians don’t want to be left behind, so they’re starting the debate all over again. Gives new meaning to the term “Tasmanian Devil,” if you ask me.

Tasmania relaunches euthanasia debate

ELEANOR HALL: The Tasmanian Parliament is about to launch into another emotionally charged debate about euthanasia.

The Attorney-General Lara Giddings says she is drawing up legislation that would support people's right to die with dignity. more