Euthanasia and mental health advocates have backed health authorities' suspension of Philip Nitschke from practising medicine over his alleged handling of a troubled man who sought advice about how to kill himself.
The Medical Board of Australia used its emergency powers to suspend Dr Nitschke while investigations continued, saying it was "focused on public safety and managing risk to patients".
The decision, which prevents the head of Exit International from practice anywhere in Australia, follows the suicide of 45-year-old Perth man Nigel Brayley in May after communicating with Dr Nitschke.
Dr Nitschke vowed to appeal the decision, but said even if he lost it would not matter because he had not practised medicine for years.
“This is to my mind a clear case of a difference in ideology leading to a suspension. In other words, it’s a political suspension,’’ he said.
Mr Brayley died in May after taking a fatal overdose of a drug discussed at Exit International forums.
His wife, Lina, 37, died in February 2011 after she fell from the top of a quarry while taking photographs. The death was initially believed to be an accident, but it emerged after Mr Brayley took his life that he was being investigated for his alleged involvement.
It has been reported that federal police were also investigating the disappearance of Mr Brayley's former girlfriend in East Timor in 2005.
Dr Nitschke has confirmed that Mr Brayley attended an Exit International workshop in Perth in February, but said he had not lost his capacity to make a rational decision. He said he did not give Mr Brayley medical advice and did not have any obligation to refer him to a psychiatrist.
He said Mr Brayleywas a "serial wife killer" and his death was “a clear case of rational suicide’’.
His actions have drawn the ire of groups including the Australian Medical Association, beyondblue and Dying with Dignity.
Dying with Dignity committee member Chris Ryan backed the decision to suspend Dr Nitschke's registration, saying he was a "cowboy" who had set back the euthanasia cause.
Dr Ryan, a psychiatrist at University of Sydney's Centre for Values Ethics and the Law, said voluntary euthanasia should be legal but carefully regulated.
He said Dr Nitschke had made a decision about whether Mr Brayley was capable of making a rational decision about dying based on email communications. "The issue is whether, as a doctor, he applied the right clinical approach."
Jeff Kennett, the chairman of beyondblue and a supporter of euthanasia for the terminally ill, said Dr Nitschke had damaged his own cause.
“We cannot allow the debate to start that it’s all right for a 16-year-old, or a 45-year-old, simply because they’re having an off day, to attempt to take their own life. It is not acceptable," he said. “I think he’s put his cause back - that is for a very properly defined legislative framework where people who are terminally ill, under certain circumstances when all their dignity has left them, have the right to exit to exit this world.”
The medical board's ruling was made under a section of the law that “enables the board to limit a practitioner’s registration in some way to keep the public safe’’, the statement said.
Dr Nitschke said the board had sent him a letter explaining his beliefs were “incompatible with medical practice’’.
He said the decision to ban him appeared to be politically motivated because the medical board did not agree with his ideas.
‘‘It’s a fairly fundamental ideological problem here between me and the medical board," he said. ‘‘The reality is people do see merit and interest in knowing how they can, if they want to, end their lives peacefully."
Dr Nitschke is facing three other inquiries by the medical board, including complaints he tried to import nitrogen cylinders that could be used for suicide.
He and his supporters have started a fund to finance his legal battle.
with Harriet Alexander, AAP
For help or information call Suicide Helpline Victoria on 1300 651 251 or Lifeline on 131 114, or visit beyondblue.org.au.
