The prime minister has called it appalling, and police are investigating the role of controversial euthanasia advocate Dr Philip Nitschke, after a 79 year old woman killed herself after saying she was tired of living.
The death last month of retired, French born academic Lisette Nigot has reignited the euthanasia debate in Australia, because she had attended one of Dr Nitschke's euthanasia workshops two years ago and stayed in touch.
Dr Nitschke said he tried to dissuade her, but Ms Nigot had been hoarding the barbiturates (secobarbital (Seconal)) she had used for many years. Ms Nigot, who lived in Perth, had Meniere's disease, which can cause blackouts and dizziness.
Prime minister John Howard entered the debate by saying that healthy people should not be encouraged to take their lives, whatever their age.
Professor Peter Baume, patron of the Voluntary Euthanasia Society of New South Wales, said that rational suicide, as appeared to be the case with Ms Nigot, was a credible option and the case had only drawn controversy because of her links with Dr Nitschke.