Philip Nitschke

Nitschke and Exit must answer questions

Paul Russell | 05 September 2012

The roll out of Exit International and Dr Philip Nitschke’s latest project, the provision of kits that include a nitrogen cylinder to bring about death by suffocation, should ring alarm bells with the Australian public and regulatory authorities.

Right-to-die movement has split into two warring camps, says Nitschke

Michael Cook | 20 July 2012

The right-to-die movement has split into two warring camps, according to Australian euthanasia activist Dr Philip Nitschke. Speaking at the annual conference of right-to-die societies in Zurich, he complained that half of the world federation’s board were critical of his attempts to create a do-it-yourself suicide technology.

Nitschke in headlines again

Paul Russell | 27 September 2011

For some time now, Philip Nitschke has been claiming that he had ‘discovered’ a ‘loophole’ in the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s procedures and protocols that would allow him to import the drug Nembutal into Australia.

Nitschke in new ploy to import lethal drug

Michael Cook | 05 August 2011

Euthanasia campaigner Philip Nitschke is trying to use a legal loophole to obtain the euthanasia drug Nembutal for two South Australians. They are among six terminally ill patients who have asked Dr Nitschke to import the sedative through the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s special access scheme for patients with a “legitimate need.”

A terror management strategy for dementia

Paul Russell | 29 July 2011

When the headline act in the Nitschke travelling road show’s visit to Bendigo is titled, Voluntary euthanasia: Making choices in the context of Alzheimer’s and dementia, we need to ask some serious questions about what the real agenda might be and who gets hurt.

What we all need is a user-friendly euthanasia clinic, says Nitschke

Michael Cook | 20 May 2011

Euthanasia activist Philip Nitschke has reiterated his determination to set up “Exit clinics” where people can organise their deaths – as soon as legislation is passed in Tasmania or South Australia. Writing this week in Online Opinion, an Australian web magazine, Dr Nitschke says:

Don’t pull down the fence!

Paul Russell | 17 May 2011

On May 17 I was invited by the Sydney University Union to speak at a ‘Q & A style’ debate on the issue of euthanasia & assisted suicide. With me on the ‘no’ side was Dr. Andrew Pesce, President of the Australian Medical Association who spoke exceptionally well about why the AMA does not support euthanasia & assisted suicide. On the ‘yes’ side were Dr Philip Nitschke and NSW Greens MLC, Cate Faehrmann. Following is my text:

We we should not decriminalise assisted suicide

Paul Russell | 05 May 2011

Recent news in respect to court proceedings against Mr. David Scott Mathers for the assisted suicide of his partner, Eva Griffith in July 2009, deserve scrutiny; as do comments from Dr. Nitschke and from Michael Duffy in the Sydney Morning Herald.

UK high school kids taught about assisted suicide

Paul Russell | 17 April 2011

Revelations this week that a UK company that produces educational videos for school children has included in its production vision of Dr. Nitschke’s ‘death machine’, explanations on how it works and footage from his workshops explaining his other suicide methods has shocked even pro-euthanasia advocates in the UK.

Reasons to thank Philip Nitschke

Paul Russell | 04 April 2011

I never thought I’d be giving a bouquet to ‘doctor death’. After all, there’s nothing that he has said or done in the public eye that I find the least bit agreeable (except, perhaps, the recent picture of his visit with his mother).

Nitschke plans suicide clinic for Adelaide

Michael Cook | 29 March 2011

The prospect of opening a suicide clinic in his home town of Adelaide has brought out the hidden human side of euthanasia activist Dr Philip Nitschke. Today’s Australian featured a tender picture of Dr Nitschke holding the hands of his 90-year-old mother Gweneth Nitschke. She is a fan of his project to open up a clinic where people can access information and equipment about how to kill themselves.

Plans for Australian euthanasia clinics

Michael Cook | 07 March 2011

Although the passage of euthanasia laws in the Australian states of South Australia and Tasmanis is far from certain, activist Dr Philip Nitschke is already making plans. He wants to set up a euthanasia clinic in Adelaide or Hobart as soon as it is legalised.

Philip Nitschke is a joke. Seriously.

Michael Cook | 28 February 2011

Jim Carrey. Ricky Gervais. Adam Sandler. Steve Martin. All well-known comedians. How about adding to the list Philip Nitschke?

Nitschke shunned in Britain and Ireland

Peter Saunders | 21 February 2011

The Australian assisted suicide enthusiast Philip Nitschke (aka Dr Death), of Exit International, is again visiting the British Isles but his tour is not going at all well. As of February 20 two of his five meetings have been cancelled whilst protesters outnumbered attendees at a third.

Philip Nitschke: suicide as an art form in Tasmania

Paul Russell | 10 February 2011

Multi-millionaire, David Walsh’s assault on the senses in his new Art Museum on the banks of the Derwent river, Hobart, would seem to be an attempt to offend almost everyone. From rotting animal carcasses to the remains of a suicide bomber made from Belgian chocolate and an ‘excrement machine’ that mimics the human body’s waste evacuation system, there would seem to be something here to shock everyone.