February 16, 2023
Seminar focused on understanding options
Bundaberg Today, by By Angela Norval
Seminar focused on understanding options
Appreciating the importance of being informed in a variety of areas as we progress into our senior years, the Bundaberg Chapter of Exit International invites interested parties to join their seniors seminar on Saturday 11 March at the Bundaberg Civic Centre.
Held from 11.30am to 3.30pm, Exit International Bundaberg Chapter coordinator Dianne Lange said it was focused on Choices in Dying in Dignity by Exit International which is a worldwide organisation.
“This is a very important subject for our elderly, and information that everyone needs to have, because this is something we will all have to face sooner or later, knowledge can help us tremendously,” she said.
Exit International director Philip Nitschke, who will be speaking at the seminar, has been running workshops for elderly people interested in their end-of-life options for many years, especially in the context of the new assisted dying laws introduced across Australia.
“The theme is to explain in detail the significant restrictions built in to the new laws so that the claims that there is now a right to die are not accepted at face value,” he said.
“Many of those attending do not want to cede control over their death to another party, and want to know that they will make the decision if and when they want to (and for whatever reason), and not have to wait till some other person decides they are sick enough to qualify and be eligible for assistance.
“They are very interested in alternatives.
“There is also a lot of interest in the on-medical Swiss model which differs significantly from the new Australian laws.
“While running workshops throughout Australia, I will also be taking the opportunity to speak to ACT and Northern Territory politicians who are yet to draft new laws – urging them to look closely at the European experience and the lessons learnt rather than repeating the mistakes of the other Australian states” reports Bundaberg Today.