Vic: Police to quiz euthanasia doctor over journalist's 'suicide'

AAP General News (Australia)
12-11-2008
Vic: Police to quiz euthanasia doctor over journalist's 'suicide'

MELBOURNE, Dec 11 AAP - Police are to question a Victorian doctor and euthanasia advocate
over the apparent suicide of a Melbourne journalist three years ago.

Urologist Rodney Syme advised Steve Guest, who was suffering from cancer of the oesophagus
when he died after taking an overdose of barbiturates in 2005.

Detectives from Melbourne will on Friday interview Dr Syme after reopening an investigation
into Mr Guest's much-publicised death.

The move is likely to spark renewed debate about euthanasia after a bill aimed at legalising
physician-assisted dying was defeated in the Victorian parliament in October.

Neil Francis, chief executive of lobby group Dying With Dignity, said the majority
of Victorians supported euthanasia legislation, adding the society would push for the
referral of the Medical Treatment Act (1988) to the Victorian Law Reform Commission.

"This act is now 20 years old. We would call on the Victorian government to refer the
matter to the Law Reform Commission for full consideration," Mr Francis said.

"Part of the problem in the current environment is that the law is so muddy and ambiguous.

"On the one hand, it says it is absolutely acceptable and, in fact, desirable that
maximum palliation be provided if requested, even if it hastens a patient's death.

"On the other hand, the law says under no circumstances should physicians provide medication
which results in the shortening of life.

"It would be very appropriate for the Law Reform Commission to come up with some options
for guidelines for what's acceptable and what's unacceptable for doctors."

Eight-two per cent of Victorians wanted the option of physician-assisted dying made
legally available, compared with just 13 per cent against, while 45 per cent of Victorian
doctors supported physician-assisted dying being made available, Mr Francis said.

"There is a great deal of support," he added.



* Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline
on 13 11 14 or SANE Helpline on 1800 18 SANE (7263) or visit www.beyondblue.org.au.

AAP sjm/pmu/de

KEYWORD: SYME

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