'Dr Death' back in NZ to outline suicide pill

A suicide pill for elderly and seriously ill people will be explained and promoted by a controversial Australian doctor during a visit to New Zealand next month.

Dr Philip Nitschke, known as "Dr Death" because he advocates voluntary euthanasia, plans workshops in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch next month

The Voluntary Euthanasia Society of New Zealand said the "Peaceful Pill" allowed people to kill themselves without the co-operation of politicians or the medical profession.

Dr Nitschke co-wrote a book called 'Killing Me Softly' which would be launched during his visit to New Zealand, the society said.

The workshops would discuss the pill and "developing strategies that provide real end of life choice," said the society.

It said the pill provided an innovative, non-medical solution to the issue of voluntary euthanasia for elderly and seriously ill people.

Dr Nitschke said today new laws in Australia, including a fine of up to $120,000 for people who show others how to commit suicide, would make it very difficult to spread information about "end of life choices".

The Australian Government was over-reacting to pressure from religious groups by restricting the use of the telephone, including the internet, to spread information about voluntary euthanasia, he said.

"This government seems to be pandering to what they see as the rising influence of the religious right," he told NewstalkZB today.

Dr Nitschke says his audience is usually made up of elderly people who want to know more about their options, and he is offended by people who want to restrict their access to information.

He says he would be very surprised if New Zealand goes down the same path as Australia in restricting information about euthanasia, as this is an issue of great concern and there should be the freedom to talk about it.

- NZPA, NEWSTALK ZB