The announcement today by Dr Philip Nitschke that he intends to move his organisation Exit International and its operations to New Zealand is welcome news for Queensland Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce.

The statement comes as new legislation is enacted in Australia that prevents individuals and organisations from pursuing communication in relation to committing the act of suicide. Under the new laws those caught discussing suicide via phone, fax or email could be committing an offence.

The Suicide Material Offences Bill 2005 initiates today and will affectively draw to a close the operations and future intentions of Dr Nitschke and his organisation.

“While I’m always disappointed to see a Doctor leaving for overseas, I cannot however support a Doctor who supports the killing of people. Therefore, if Dr Nitschke feels he needs to move to New Zealand then that’s fine,” said Senator Joyce.

“The purpose of palliative care should remain a process of securing the dignity of patients and not inducing their death,” he said.

“There is a large chasm between assisting the pain management and nurture of a person with terminal illness and killing people or showing them how to kill themselves,” Senator Joyce said.