X-Message-Number: 7269
Date: Fri, 06 Dec 1996 10:36:46 -0700
From: David Brandt-Erichsen <>
Subject: Australia has coroner troubles, too

(Australian Broadcasting Corp; Weds 4 December, 1996; 8:26pm AEDT)

DOCTOR ANGRY AT TIME OVER DEATH CERTIFICATE

The Office of the Coroner in Darwin has been accused of making it difficult
for Territory's Terminally Ill Act to work.  Doctor Philip Nitschke carried
out Australia's first legally assisted suicide two months ago on patient Bob
Dent, and he says the death certificate is yet to be issued.  The Office of
the Coroner in Darwin says it can now proceed with issuing the certificate..
which officially lists the cause of Mr Dent's death as still subject to
investigation.  But Doctor Nitschke is angered at the prospect of an
investigation, and the distress which waiting has caused Mr Dents family.


(Australian Broadcasting Corp; Fri Dec 6/96; 2:12am AEDT)
REASON SUGGESTED FOR EUTHANASIA DEATH CERTIFICATE DELAY

Northern Territory Attorney-General Denis Burke has suggested the wish of
the first man to use the Territory's voluntary euthanasia law to be
cremated, led to a delay in a death certificate being issued.  The family of
Bob Dent still hasn't received a death certificate for him, more than two
months after he died from a lethal injection.  In a statement released last
night, Mr Burke has rejected suggestions there are problems with the Rights
of the Terminally Ill Act.  Mr Burke says any confusion over the death
certificate raises questions about the information provided to Mr Dent and
his family by the doctor concerned.  He says all the education information
on voluntary made it clear that cremation was not available to people ending
their lives through
voluntary euthanasia. 


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