Friday, 27 January 2006

Copeland seeks ban on 'Dr Death'

United Future MP Gordon Copeland has written to Immigration Minister David Cunliffe to see if there are any grounds for preventing Australian euthanasia campaigner Dr Philip Nitschke from moving to New Zealand.

Mr Copeland says "Inciting, counselling, aiding and abetting anyone who commits or attempts suicide is still a crime in this country and previous governments have certainly prohibited entry to New Zealand on the basis of undesirability."

Mr Copeland also asks Mr Cunliffe, in his capacity as Minister for Information Technology, if grounds exist to prohibit the establishment of a website in New Zealand.

Dr Nitschke has said previously he would like to shift his centre of operations to New Zealand as Australia has made it illegal to establish websites that advocate euthanasia.

Mr Copeland said he had taken this action after numerous representations from the public.

ENDS

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