David Goodall, a 104-year-old, Perth-based scientist and great-grandfather who travelled to Switzerland this week to end his life, died on Thursday, Switzerland time.
Goodall – an Order of Australia Medal recipient for his work in plant ecology – was at the centre of public debate about voluntary assisted dying in Australia after he made it clear on his 104th birthday last month that he wanted to die.
At 102, Goodall was pushed out of work for safety reasons, and last year – after a fall in his home, where he wasn't found for two days – Goodall was reportedly told by doctors to stop using public transport. This took the joy out of life for him, Goodall said.
Goodall made the decision to end his life, with the help of Exit International, a group lobbying for legalising euthanasia. He travelled via France to Switzerland, where the practice is legal, to end his own life.
Voluntary assisted dying isn't currently legal in any Australia jurisdiction, however legislation has passed in Victoria and the practice will be legal in 2019. It will be restricted to people with terminal illnesses, and someone who was in Goodall's situation would not qualify.
Western Australia is also examining introducing similar legislation.
Goodall told journalists at a press conference before he died that he wished he could have ended his life in Australia.
"I am happy to have this chance, though I would have preferred to have it in Australia," Goodall said.
Those opposed to euthanasia say that Goodall's decision sets a dangerous precedent of allowing people who are otherwise healthy to end their own life.
"In many quarters we see the planned suicide of someone who's aged 100 celebrated," AMA president Michael Gannon told the ABC. "That concerns me."
AAP reported that Goodall travelled to the Life Circle clinic in Basel with Exit International founder Philip Nitschke.
On his final day he reportedly had fish and chips for dinner, and cheesecake for dessert, and in his last few moments listened to Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.
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