Sunday, September 12, 2010

Dying to talk about euthanasia


Censorship has become a hot topic in Australia over recent months, particularly around the government’s proposed internet filter.

But there’s another censorship matter which cropped up this week.


Exit International is a voluntary euthanasia advocacy organisation headed by the well known Australian, Dr Philip Nitschke.

A few weeks ago you might remember ABC TV’s The Gruen Transfer had two advertising companies “pitch” at the idea of voluntary euthanasia.

Interestingly the winning firm “The Works” was then hired by Exit to make a real ad which was due to screen from Sunday September 12th.
According to Exit Internationals’ website the ad was pulled at the last minute after advice from Commercials Advice (CAD) which is a classification body.

Here’s what the Exit website says:


“By Friday the Ad had been banned on advice from Commercials Advice (CAD) lawyer, Alison Lee.

Ms Lee alleges that the Ad which was approved by CAD at pre-production and post-production stages for airing on TV, breaches s2.17.5 of the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice' Suicide: Realistic depiction of methods of suicide, or promotion or encouragement of suicide'.

Even more offensively, in her email, Ms Lee continues "We have considered that an advertisement for voluntary euthanasia is a promotion or encouragement of suicide as voluntary euthanasia would be considered to be a subset of suicide." (Exit underline not mine)

Exit has heard many arguments against VE, but never one as left-field as this one.

The ad is an expression of free speech & political communication. The ad directly addresses the government and calls for legislative action. To argue otherwise suggests that CAD has an alternative agenda to censor important political debate on the issue.”


I’ve watched the ad and it’s about as inoffensive as an ad can get. The man in the ad is an actor, not someone who’s actually suffering from a terminal illness. It’s on message but not in-your-face. To be honest it’s easier to watch than a Harvey Norman or Joyce Mayne ad!!

Why shouldn’t Australian audiences be allowed to see this ad?

I’m sure it would be screened at a suitable time to avoid those awkward questions from six year olds, and would hopefully encourage some sensible debate in this country about such an important topic.


Given research shows a majority of Australians support the concept of voluntary euthanasia (Newspoll: nationwide trends show 85 percent support and the figure is rising, approx five percent over two years), just who would be offended by an ad seeking to lobby government?


Let’s not forget the federal government has seen fit to step in on this before.

The Northern Territory parliament supported a Voluntary Euthanasia Bill in May 1995. BUT at the instigation of Liberal MP Kevin Andrews, a Bill to overturn it was introduced to the federal House of Representatives in September 1996. The Senate passed the Bill in March 1997 and the NT’s decision was overturned. That decision also impacted on the ACT’s rights.

Overturning the pro-voluntary euthanasia laws had support from all side of politics and from the Prime Minister (then John Howard) down. This DESPITE the overwhelming evidence that Australian’s want this right.


During the legislation’s short active period four people used their right to die with dignity.

It seems an advertising campaign designed to lobby government on behalf of the tobacco industry (a series of ads attacking federal government plans for plain packaging under the umbrella of the Alliance of Australian Retailers but funded by tobacco giants – news reports Sept 10, 11, 12 2010), but it’s not OK for the voluntary euthanasia lobby to do the same thing.

One could argue a bit of hypocrisy here – after all, one side kills people slowly over many years and costs the health system and the community millions and millions of dollars while the other would kill people quickly and peacefully at a time of their choosing, and funded by the individual concerned.

Let’s show some courage as a community. Broadcast the ad and have some sensible, adult discussion. And after that’s done, let’s ask the people of Australia.

If they support the idea of voluntary euthanasia with the safeguards required to prevent abuse then how dare ANY politician step in and stop the wishes of the people.



6 comments:

  1. Some interesting issues raised here! Given their reasoning, I suspect the threat of a law suit or the breaching of "s2.17.5 of the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice", might be theri concern rather than any objections to the actual content of the ad as such. I have no idea what the ramifications of such a breach of this code might be of course, and given the awful stuff that is allowed on TV and in advertising I suspect not much at all. Given how important suicide prevention is these days (politically speaking) and the requirments of it to be treated in particular ways in (and by) the media, I suspect this might be the problem. This indicates the problem lies in the law/codes of conduct rather than the feelings towards to the topic by those who pulled it. The laws governing this topic might need revising/changing if that's the case...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Greens leader Senator Bob Brown has raised the euthanasia issue again, with special reference to the Kevin Andrews Bill:

    http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/greens-fight-for-territory-rights-to-legalise-euthanasia/story-e6frfku0-1225926185453

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hello Redhead,

    Why don't you give the people concerned another solution.

    A real choice.

    The aboriginals have a system of pointing the bone.
    i
    Good News it works. Conditional on the person believing!.

    Just inform the people who desperately want to die that it is a matter of their heart and mind. If you will to die - and you are completely convinced in your heart and mind you will die. It is your free choice.

    But you much completely believe that you are in charge of your body.

    I know if my life gets to the state where I cannot stand the pain.
    I will decide to die and i will not need drugs.

    My mother prided herself on a brilliant memory. When she was 81 and failing and she could not remember she said to me one day " I cannot remember"_ "that's it" I am going to die and within a few days she died.

    Just a rock solid belief.

    It worked for her and it will work for me - if ever I get in her situation.

    Vic.

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