Outrage over 'killing machine'

Dr Phillip Nitchske at the Wembley Community Centre in Perth. Picture: Theo Fakos Source: PerthNow

Fran Geste, a 71-year-old cancer sufferer, attended the community event. Picture: Theo Fakos Source: PerthNow

WA doctors' representatives last night tore into euthanasia advocate Philip Nitschke, accusing him of bringing a "killing machine'' into the state.

Dr Nitschke staged a Dying Well in the West workshop in Wembley yesterday, where he showcased his $660 nitrogen gas product.

Australian Medical Association president Richard Choong condemned the man dubbed Dr Death.

"He's teaching people how to use it but takes no responsibility,'' he said. "He's basically brought the gun, loaded it and put it on the table and said the fault is not mine.''

Eighty people attended the workshop, many interested in the nitrogen gas bottles sold by Dr Nitschke's brewing company, 'Max Dog Brewing'.

Dr Nitschke said since the product became available six months ago, more than 400 had been sold, including 10 in WA before the workshop.

One of those was to Murray Hindle, a member of the WA Voluntary Euthanasia Society.

The 71-year-old is not ill, nor is any member of his family, but he bought the product just in case "the worst happened''.

"The thing about nitrogen is that it is totally undetectable,'' he said.

Dr Nitschke hit back at his critics.

"I'm not encouraging anyone to do it or not to do it,'' he said. "What I am doing is telling you: 'This is what you can do'.

"If you don't give out that information, what you will be left with is a damning statistic in WA  that most elderly people who want to end their lives hang themselves.

"That is most common method in Perth 2013. That's an embarrassment and shame.''

Attendee Fran Geste, 71, was diagnosed with lymphoma 10 years ago.

"Having that dignity to die is the most important thing to me,'' she said.  "We should be permitted to have a say in how that happens.''

She said she would use Nembutal - the euthanasia drug of choice.

Dr Nitschke says it is still the easiest and most effective drug available. It's just illegal.

But that hasn't stopped dozens of seriously ill West Australians from importing the drug into the state from countries like China, he added.

"I have been testing Nembutal non-stop since I have got into Perth,'' he said

"We have done a run of about 10 today from people who have brought the drug and are worried whether or not it's pure.''

For people seeking support or feeling distressed call Lifeline 131 114, Mensline 1300 789 978 or Kids Helpline 1800 551 800.

Man critical after serious CBD assault

WA Police have uncovered a suspected drug lab in Rockingham. Source: PerthNow

POLICE have called on the public for information after a man was taken to hospital in a critical condition following an alleged assault in the city.

About 7.30pm police were called with reports a man was lying unconscious at the corner of Aberdeen and Stirling Sts, Perth.

City officers attended the scene and found a man in his 20s has been in a fight on James Street.

The man was taken to Royal Perth Hospital - where he remains in a critical condition - and a 35-year-old man was taken into custody and charged with grievous bodily harm.

Officers also attended a home in Port Kennedy about 1.30am with reports of a domestic incident.

Rockingham Police went to the home on Chelmsford Avenue where they found box of items believed to be chemicals and - due to the strong chemical smell - the house was evacuated and cordoned off.

Officers who attended the incident showed signs of respiratory distree and were treated at the hospital and by an attended ambulance.

Police believe the chemicals may be used to manufacture drug and officers from the Organised Crime Squad and a Chemist from ChemCentre are investigating.

Anyone with information about either of these incidents is asked to call Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.

Mayors deserve pay rise

Alannah MacTiernansaid councillors are being undervalued in their pay. Picture: Richard Hatherly Source: PerthNow

HIGH-PROFILE mayor Alannah MacTiernan says WA is being robbed of top council talent because the pay is so bad.

The City of Vincent Mayor told The Sunday Times she was working up to 50 hours a week for $60,000 a year and believed the job was worth more.

"I am not whingeing about it," the former state Labor minister said.

"I can afford to do it (for this salary) but others can't.

"I know of people who could contribute to local government, but can't because of the financial impost is too great."

Ms MacTiernan's comments follow calls from Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi for civic leaders to be paid more.

Ms Scaffidi last week told The Sunday Times her salary also $60,000 a year should triple to $180,000 a year to match the pay of her counterparts in Melbourne and Sydney.

The WA Local Government Association is leading the push for a revamp of council salaries as the Salaries and Allowances Tribunal is preparing to release a pay review.

Ms MacTiernan, who resigned from state politics to unsuccessfully run for the federal seat of Canning in 2010, earned more than $260,000 a year as a minister.

She said councillors, who earned $7000 a year, needed to be paid more for their services.

Ms MacTiernan said councillors put in many hours towards representing their communities on councils.

"There are many people out there who would love to contribute to local government who can't afford to sacrifice income or take on extra work (to supplement their salaries)," she said.

"I know of other mayors who do other work, but I don't know how they do it.

"We are better off to reduce the number of councillors and give people basic recognition of the amount of work that is involved in serving on council so that there is a bigger gene pool on which to draw.

"There needs to be a recognition of workload and responsibilities.

"Our council meetings alone take five hours. Preparation takes the same amount of time.

"And that doesn't take into consideration all the other work that goes into being a councillor."

Premier's wife helps prisoners

Mrs Barnett with her husband. The premier's wife said luck is a big factor in how your children turn out. Picture: Kerris Berrington Source: PerthNow

THE Premier's wife is extending a helping hand from the leafy western suburbs to prisoners in Bandyup Women's Prison.

The usually low-profile Lyn Barnett is supporting a campaign to give women prisoners a fresh start in life after their release through mentoring and rehabilitation.

Mrs Barnett said she had enormous empathy for the broken lives of women prisoners.

"You try to put yourself in the situation of these women how would you start again on a different road with such a personal history? You would need some help," she said.

"As a parent, you think that could be my child coming out of prison and lucky me that it isn't, but who's to say it couldn't have been? Life happens to all of us. I don't think you can give yourself too much of a pat on the back as a parent because often it's just luck."

Mrs Barnett will speak at the second annual Second Chance Day: Yellow Ribbon Project breakfast on May 14.
Second Chance Day is an initiative of anti-drug campaigner and author Jade Lewis, who beat drug addiction and a life of crime in 1999, and has run personal development programs in Bandyup and Boronia prisons and Rangeview Detention Centre since 2009.

"Everyone has made mistakes in their life to varying degrees," she said. "It's those women who want to change and are genuinely sorry for what they've done that we want to support."

The mother of three said the lives of women on the programs had changed dramatically.

"We've seen women restore relationships with their parents, gain back custody of their children, break drug addictions, find employment and overcome depression and learning difficulties to receive formal qualifications," she said.

"When I got my life back (after addiction), I made a vow that I would use my life to help other people. I wouldn't want to be doing anything else."

Prison Superintendent Chris Lee will address the breakfast and former prisoners will share their stories of recovery.

www.second chanceday.org.au for details.