Suicide manual to be placed on restricted list

Arts Minister Kay Hallahan has rejected a recommendation from the State Advisory Committee on Publications that the controversial suicide manual 'Final Exit' should be freely available on public sale - even to children.

Mrs Hallahan said she did not believe the community would accept a situation where the book was readily available to people under the age of 18 years.

The Minister said she had decided to lift an earlier ban on the sale of the book but place it on the restricted list, which meant it could only be sold to adults.

"In coming to this decision, I have taken into account the very divergent views of the Western Australian Voluntary Euthanasia Society, as well as Right to Life groups," she said.

"The decision to limit the sale of 'Final Exit' to adults means that their freedom of choice is maintained, but also that there is an impediment to the book falling into the hands of depressed or impressionable young people."

Mrs Hallahan said the decision brought WA into line with other States - which had also restricted the book after initially imposing bans.

Bans in all States were reviewed following modifications to the book by publisher Penguin Australia Ltd.