Exit Canberra 30th Anniversary Rights of the Terminally Ill Act Conference
This conference was held on 21-22 September 2026 at Ainslie FC.
See the Conference Report – the Video is to follow …
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NuTech
NuTech 2020 was held via Livestream on Saturday 26 September 2020, slap bang in the middle of the Covid pandemic.
The Theme of the Conference was: ‘The Dementia Dilemma – is the Answer Technological?’
Topics
- The Implantable ‘Plug’ – A New Solution to the Dementia Dilemma?
- The Practicality of Implanting a Lethal Switch
- The Evolution & Pharmacology of the 4-Drug Protocols (DDMP & DDMA)
- Software Development for Deathbed Data Collection
- Nitro ‘Foam Frenzy’ for a Happy Hypoxia: or another way to bin the bag!
- Lessons from Self-Help Abortion: How to Avoid Reinventing the Wheel
- Methoglobinaemia & the Nitrite Conspiracy: Holy Grail or Failed Dream?
- New Strategies for Bio-Body Disposal
- Monoxide Magic – The dry powder generator
- A Common Gases Generator – generate up to a dozen different gases
- Plus Several Updates on Recent NuTech Projects
Conference Recordings
Recordings of the conference sessions are available for purchase.
Read more at: NuTech2020.com
Debreather Machine – Co-winner NuTech 2017
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Exit 2016 International Conference
In September 2016, Exit International held its 20th Anniversary Conference at the State Library of Victoria in Melbourne, Australia.
Exit Assisted Dying Demonstration, Melbourne 2016
Background
Exit conferences seek to challenge and change the right to die debate.
Current models of law reform frame the right to die debate as solely for the terminally ill.
Aid in Dying / Dying with Dignity are concepts based on the conferment of medical privileges for the very, very sick.
‘If you are sick enough, then you may be able to request assistance to die (well).’
What about our civil rights? Let’s reconceptualize the discussion.
Dying well, and at a time/ place of one’s choosing, is the fundamental human right of every adult of sound mind?
Everybody Deserves a Peaceful Death?
To help us understand the debate past / present we have invited cultural historian, Dr Deb Campbell, provided the opening keynote address.
Dr Campbell’s principal argument — and the theme of the conference — is that the current ‘NOBA’ model for euthanasia law-making is misplaced. ‘NOBA’ = Not Only But Also!
In current law reform models NOT ONLY must you be so ill as likely to die within months, BUT you must ALSO gain the permission of the medical profession if you seek to qualify to use such a law!
For many people, this sits badly. From Exit’s perspective, the decision of when and how to die is much more fundamental. We are talking civil rights vis a vis medical treatment.
It is our life and we should be the sole arbiters in how it ends. Medical qualification, beyond being of sound mind, is up for critique.
Dr Campbell’s new book – Doing Us Slowly – is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the past and the future of the right to die debate.
Keynote Speakers – Melbourne 2016
Dr Deb Campbell (Australia) – Doing Us Slowly: What’s Happened to the Australian Voluntary Euthanasia Debate? Conference Opening Address
Dr Deb Campbell
Professor Susan Stefan (USA) – Rational Suicide, Irrational Laws (Oxford University Press, 2016)
Professor Susan Stefan
(Read the recent Huffington Post review of Stefan’s book)
Dr Lieve Thienpont (Belgium) – Psychiatrist who works with requests to die from the psychiatrically ill & some non-terminally ill elderly in Belgium
Dr Lieve Thienpont
Dr Anne Summers (Australia) – Australian Living Treasure & Foundation Feminist
Dr Anne Summers
Professor Emeritus Dennis Altman (Australia) – Gay Rights Activist & Leading Academic (Latrobe University)
Professor Dennis Altman
Professor Tony Van Loon (Belgium) – Belgian Law Professor & Ethicist who recently experienced the planned death of his mother
Professor Tony van Loon
Professor Brian Martin (Australia) – Expert in the Politics of Dissent, Political Activism, Whistleblowing (University of Wollongong)
Professor Brian Martin
Rev Bill Crews (Australia) – CEO, Exodus Foundation & National Living Treasure
Rev Bill Crews
Professor Emeritus Malcolm Parker (Australia) – Legal Scholar in futile medicine, legal capacity & decision-making (University of Queensland)
Professor Malcolm Parker
Ms Anny Shaw – Daughter of Peter and Pat Shaw (‘The Big Sleep’ The Age 22 January 2016)*
It is with great regret that Anny Shaw withdrew from the conference program after recent brain tumour surgery. We wish Anny the very best for her recovery.
Dr Philip Nitschke (Australia/ Netherlands) – Director, Exit International (Conference closing address)
Dr Philip Nitschke
Conference Dinner
The conference dinner was held at the Old Melbourne Gaol with the ‘lock up’ experience! Brilliant night!
Special Guest: ‘Whats Matter You’ Legend Joe Dolce.
Conference Dinner at Old Melbourne Jail, 22 Sept 2016
Joe Dolce
Exit International Conference in Melbourne Australia, 22 September 2016 (Bob Dent Day)
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Exit’s National Day of Shame, Canberra, March 2007
This national conference remembered the 10 year anniversary of the overturning of the Rights of the Terminally Ill Act.
Cohosted by the Voluntary Euthanasia Society of NSW:
- The conference brought a busload of ‘freedom riders’ from Sydney to Canberra to demand the Federal Parliament repeal the Kevin Andrews Euthanasia Laws Act.
- Features of the Conference were the ‘flash mob’ singing of Advance Euthanasia Fair in the foyer of Parliament House – led by retired soprano Jill Kleinman
- The Presentation of Books of Condolence to three prominent politicians, Lynn Allison (Australian Democrats), Carmen Lawrence (ALP) and Bob Brown (Australian Greens). These books contained messages of disgust and dismay from ordinary Australians all around the country.
- A march with music, chanting and placards through the city of Canberra, with full police escort.
The Conference was covered by ABC 4 Corners.
Philip Nitschke, Marshall Perron & Sandra Kanck lead the street march in Canberra
Protesting in Canberra
Ruth and Fred protesting in Canberra 2007
Lynn Allison, Carmen Lawrence & Bob Brown with the Books of Condolence
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Previous Exit National Conferences were held in Sydney, 2006, Brisbane, 2004 and Broken Hill 2000.