The utopian dream of controlling the uncontrollable

This reality was most eloquently described last year by the Irish Lords Justice in the Fleming Case: "… the protection of the right to life cannot necessarily or logically entail a right, which the State must also respect and vindicate, to terminate that life or have it terminated… that would be the antithesis of the right rather than the logical consequence of it."

Should we ever forget that freedom to do certain things also implies a freedom from having certain things done to us; in other words, not to be endangered in any way or to be unjustly deprived of our own rights to freedom and security of person, then we're staring down the short barrel towards anarchy. The rhetoric of choice and autonomy in regards to deliberate killing or helping people to suicide may seem beguiling enough; but while the classically libertarian ideal of limiting the role of government in our lives is appealing; it also requires that the natural limits of freedom be observed.

I am of course, referring to the clear, bright line drawn in our criminal codes that protects me from killing you and you from being killed by me. It also protects vulnerable people from the risk of being coerced towards suicide or having suicidal thoughts endorsed and supported by others.

Both Leyonhjelm and the euthanasia movement, generally, is dismissive of the risk to vulnerable people; the latter claiming that their 'safeguards' will guard against such abuse; the former saying that, 'this is not about bumping off granny to inherit the house'. The Irish Justices dismissed this idea, confirming that, 'The medical literature documents specific examples of abuse which, even if exceptional, are nonetheless deeply disturbing.' The very fact that the pro-euthanasia lobby talks about 'safeguards' should be a red flag – we wouldn't need 'safeguards' if there were no risks!

The current prohibition protects us all equally, while crossing the death Rubicon advances risks with each progressive step.

That both of these articles should appear in the media on the eve of World Suicide Prevention Day (10th Sept) is more than a little disturbing; but, then again, there's an election on the way in Victoria. Leyonhjelm closes his article, 'If free people own their own lives, they must be free to end them if they wish.' This is a reckless comment. All suicide is regrettable; all suicides should be abhorred and we should seek to ensure that suicide prevention measures recognise that reality.

If we accept that suicide for the elderly or the ill is appropriate, we send a decidedly mixed message about the value of life. Diminishing the resistance to all forms of suicide by accepting, as Leyonhjelm suggests, that some lives are 'no longer worth living' implies that some suicides are good, that some are acceptable. This can never be the case.

The World Health Organisation reporting recently that one suicide occurs every 40 seconds around the world and that, globally, the highest rate of suicide is amongst people aged 70 and over, should provide us with pause for thought. Are we going to discriminate against the aged and infirmed in terms of suicide prevention; are we going to allow the former Nazi slogan of 'life not worthy of life' to skew our objectives of reducing the incidents of suicide?

A simpler way to look at it might be to question the inclusion of helplines at the end of articles such as this for those for whom the content might give rise to suicidal thought. Do we need to now include a rider to the 'phone xxxxxx for assistance' that says something like: 'if you think your suicidal thoughts are rational, phone Exit; if your old or sick, ring xxxx for a doctor who will help you end it all.'

The only truly consistent approach to the question of suicide is to seek to prevent it in all its forms. Anything less is a failure; a failure of imagination, commitment and of vulnerable people who deserve the protection of the law and the support of our society.