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House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, First Session (53-1)
2014-07-24 Daily Xml
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Nitschke, Dr Philip

The Hon. T.R. KENYON (Newland) (14:42): My question is to the Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse. What is the South Australian government's response to last night's decision by the Australian Medical Board to suspend Philip Nitschke from medical practice?

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Health Industries) (14:43): I thank the member for Newland for the question. Last night the Australian Medical Board suspended Philip Nitschke from practising medicine in Australia, stating that 'he presents a serious risk to public health and safety'. This follows from his conduct in providing advice to Perth man Nigel Brayley, who then took his life.

Euthanasia, voluntary euthanasia and assisted suicide are illegal in South Australia and, while they have been debated in previous parliaments in this place, as far as I am aware, Philip Nitschke's resolve to provide support to a healthy man with no terminal illness in ending his life goes beyond the scope of any piece of legislation that any house in any parliament in Australia has ever considered. Let me make it clear to the house that any medical practitioner who feels that suicide is an option for depressed and mentally ill people is not fit to practise medicine in South Australia.

I understand that Philip Nitschke has made remarks this morning suggesting that he and Mr Brayley did not have a doctor-patient relationship. This completely misses the point. His inaction in not referring Mr Brayley to a psychologist or psychiatrist for counselling around his wishes to end his life is deplorable. As Jeff Kennett, Chairman of beyondblue, described it, it is 'offensive to all standards of common decency'. AMA President, Brian Owler, has said of Philip Nitschke's negligence, and I quote again:

To suggest a patient with suicidal ideation has a rational or cogent reason for their wish to suicide and that means there is no obligation to help them is completely false and it is immoral.

In South Australia the government is investing in suicide prevention and I know we have bipartisan support on this issue. What has happened in this instance goes against everything we stand for in urging people to seek help when experiencing depression or mental illness. Philip Nitschke operates a voluntary euthanasia advice clinic in South Australia. I understand that to date this clinic has operated within the law but I will be seeking advice from SA Health and South Australia Police on how his suspension may affect the services provided at this clinic.

I am also aware that his organisation has a website which actively promotes end-of-life options and that this website was accessed by a 25-year-old Victorian man who then used the information to commit suicide. We will looking closely at the Australian Medical Board findings with the aim to find ways that tighten laws around access to websites such as these in Australia to prevent the senseless death that Philip Nitschke has been suspended for advocating.

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