Nitschke vows to fight medical board suspension

Euthanasia campaigner Philip Nitschke has vowed to fight the Medical Board of Australia for suspending him practicing as a doctor.

The board on Wednesday night used its emergency powers to suspend Dr Nitschke after ruling that he posed "a serious risk to public health and safety that needs to be managed" and that he had breached his duty to "protect and promote the health of individuals in the community".

The suspension, which prevents Dr Nitschke from practice anywhere in Australia, is an interim measure pending the outcome of an inquiry.

“All they can do is carry out their little midnight quiet assassination and deregistration, I got the news at 10pm that that they were doing it at midnight,” Mr Nitschke told 7News.

“This is probably the first political de-registration in Australian history, so it's an important event, it’s the end of my 25 years being a registered doctor.

Dr Nitschke is accused of helping 45-year-old Perth man Nigel Brayley commit suicide, despite knowing he was not terminally ill.

Earlier this month 7News revealed Dr Nitschke had been in contact with Mr Brayley and showed emails between the pair.

Mr Brayley died in May after taking the euthanasia drug Nembutal, which he imported illegally.

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.

Dr Nitschke has confirmed Mr Brayley attended an Exit International workshop in Perth in February and purchased the banned Peaceful Pill eHandbook.

Despite his suspension, Dr Nitschke admits helping an elderly Adelaide man who plans to take his own life next week.

“I’m sure he would have hung himself if he couldn’t get some way of reassurance and he’s now got that,” Dr Nitschke said.

Dr Nitschke has appealed against the medical board’s decision and said it will not stop his work.

If anything, he claims the suspension has made the Exit International Group more popular.

“We’ve had to schedule four extra workshops to cope with the numbers of people who see merit in learning how they can peacefully and reliably end their lives at the time of their choosing,” he said.

His medical future will now be fought out in the courts.

SA Health Minister Jack Snelling said: “I welcome the Medical Board’s decision; I don’t think we should have doctors practicing who believe that suicide is an option for the mentally ill.”

The Medical Board says it took action to ‘keep the public safe’, an action Jeff Kennett, Beyond Blue spokesman, agrees with.

He said: “I've never been a great Nitschke fan. The principle of euthanasia for the terminally ill, under control, I agree with. He's put the case back many, many years.

“Dr Nitschke has enjoyed widespread support for campaigning on euthanasia for the sick and terminally ill.

“But it's where you draw that line that also divides Australians.

“His decision to advise younger, relatively healthy people is just too extreme for some supporters.”

In 2007, 7News revealed how he helped Don and Iris Flounders buy deadly drugs in Mexico.

Don had an incurable disease while Iris was healthy but died with her husband.

But it was the 7News revelations about Brayley that sparked debate.

• If you or anyone you know needs help - experts are available for a confidential chat - 24 hours a day - at Lifeline - on 13 11 14.