X-Message-Number: 6372
Date: Sat, 22 Jun 1996 07:16:11 -0700
From: David Brandt-Erichsen <>
Subject: Australia law

In my report yesterday that the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory will
be hearing the case regarding the voluntary euthanasia law on July 1 and 2,
whereas the law takes effect on July 1, it might appear that there would be
a "window of opportunity" the morning of July 1 to receive aid in dying
(there is reportedly at least one person seeking aid in dying who is waiting
for the law to take effect).  In fact there is no such window of
opportunity, since there is a waiting period embodied in the law.  The
person must be certified as terminally ill by two independent physicians,
and a psychiatrist must certify that the patient's desire to seek aid in
dying is not due to a treatable clinical depression (the actual language,
less clear, is that the psychiatrist must confirm "that the patient is not
suffering from a treatable clinical depression in respect of the illness").
Then there is a 7-day waiting period after the initial patient's request for
aid in dying before the required certificate can be signed by the patient
(or by a third witness if the patient is physically unable to sign).  The
text of this certificate, the "Request for Assistance to End My Life in a
Humane and Dignified Manner," is specified in the law.  Then there is an
additional 48-hour waiting period before the actual aid in dying can be
administered.

The government is also issuing a set of regulations to accompany the law.
As soon as I am able to obtain these, I will post any pertinent details.  A
copy of the law itself is available at <http://www.nt.gov.au/lant/>.

 <David Brandt-Erichsen>


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