Campaigner for euthanasia fined over suicide drug
ruled out an appeal, read a statement – much of it aimed at politicians.
Surrounded by supporters, and her husband and two sons, she advocated for a law change to allow euthanasia, with safeguards.
She said she would not import drugs again.
Her lawyer, Donald Stevens QC, argued against Austen being the first person in Australasia to be convicted in the past 10 years for importing the drug.
She had done volunteer work for several organisations, including a retirement village, and some said they would review her involvement if she was convicted.
Austen’s references included one from former MP and assisted dying campaigner, Maryan Street, who referred to Austen’s altruistic humanity, Stevens said.
Police were criticised for setting up a drink-driving checkpoint near Austen’s home in Maungaraki, Lower Hutt, to collect the names of people who had attended a meeting at her house. However the judge rejected the suggestion that the police actions – which the Independent Police Conduct Authority found were unjustified – could be used in Austen’s favour at sentencing.
Prosecutor Kate Feltham opposed Austen being discharged.
Unlike others who had imported pentobarbitone, Austen did not want it for her own use, because she already had plenty at her home, and she had done it twice.
Austen’s intended travel was for recreational or family reasons, so it was different to someone whose job depended on being able to travel, and it wasn’t certain a conviction would be a real impediment in any event, Feltham said.
Austen told police that she had been a caregiver for her mother for 14 years. Pentobarbitone is a barbiturate. The only legal use of it in New Zealand is for vets to euthanise small animals.