Voluntary euthanasia laws in Australia: are we really better off dead?

I thank Anaf for her thought-provoking and considered response to my reflection on suicide among nursing home residents and voluntary euthanasia laws.1 I take this opportunity to clarify my position and express my agreement with many, but not all, of her statements.

I agree that the legal status quo is inadequate for society’s needs. A social problem has been identified and there is a strong belief that a human right is being denied. Survey results during the 2016 federal election showed that over 70% of the Australians surveyed supported euthanasia.2 This deserves to be considered and investigated thoroughly, as it should be for any human rights issue. I believe more open and robust discussion about death, disability and ageing is exactly what we need.

It is also true that greater investment in the aged care and mental health systems may have little or no benefit for the small number of people who meet the criteria under the South Australian Voluntary Euthanasia Bill 2016. It would, however, benefit the entire population of older Australians and the large number of individuals requiring mental health services.

It is important to uncouple the two quite separate issues of voluntary euthanasia and suicide prevention among older people. Men aged over 85 years have the highest suicide rate in Australia at 39.3 per 100 000 people.3 The assumption is that this rate will be reduced by enacting voluntary euthanasia laws, as individuals who would have suicided using violent means will finally have a legal avenue to end their own lives. However, despite legalisation of euthanasia in countries such as Belgium and the Netherlands, suicide rates among older men remain high in these countries.4

Euthanasia cannot be the single solution to the problem of suicide among older people. The solution must include development and implementation of targeted suicide prevention strategies at the individual, organisational and societal level, as would be afforded any other age group.5