Category: Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency

Australia’s COVID-Era ‘Name and Shame’ Laws Against Doctors Being Weaponised: Health Body

A body representing obstetricians says so-called “name and shame” laws against doctors deemed to pose a risk to the public are, in fact, disincentivising health workers from working in regional areas. The criticism comes as amendments to the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law come into effect across Australia. The law gives 16 medical authorities across…


High Number of Aussie Health Practitioners Referred

Australian Health practitioners were reported for alleged misconduct at almost double the rate in the last year, according to Australia’s health regulator. Botched procedures, inappropriate sexual relationships with patients, and wrongfully issuing vaccination exemption certificates to people were among serious breaches resulting in referrals to tribunals. Nationwide, there were 344 referrals made in the 2021-22 financial year,…


Over 1,000 Complaints Lodged Against Health Workers Contradicting Public COVID Advice

As of June 2022, Australian authorities received around 1,300 complaints against medical workers who may have contravened or criticised public health advice around COVID-19. The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), which manages accreditation for health professionals across the country, said it received around 10,000 notifications across the 2021-22 financial year period. Of those, around…


Silencing Medical Dissent: Doctors Oppose New Power for Regulators to Manage ‘Risks to Public Safety’

Alternative union groups—formed in opposition to vaccine mandates—are resisting a new amendment that sharpens the powers of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, which was used during the pandemic to penalise medical practitioners for opposing government-backed lockdowns or mandates. In a submission to the Queensland Parliament, the Australian Medical Professionals Society (AMPS) and the Nurses’ Professional Association of…


Judge Overturns Disciplinary Action Against Student Who Questioned COVID-19 Vaccine

A professor’s decision to sanction a student for expressing scepticism about COVID-19 vaccines has been struck down by the Supreme Court of New South Wales in Australia. The judgement comes as Australian health practitioners continue to face heavy scrutiny over comments or social media posts that do not align with medical orthodoxy around COVID-19. In October…


Judge Overturns Disciplinary Action Against Student Who Questioned Vaccines, Public Health Orders

A professor’s decision to sanction a student for expressing scepticism about COVID-19 vaccines has been struck down by the Supreme Court of New South Wales in Australia. The judgement comes as Australian health practitioners continue to face heavy scrutiny over comments or social media posts that do not align with medical orthodoxy around COVID-19. In October…


Medical Experts Call for Greater Regulation in Cosmetic Surgery

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and the Australian Medical Association (AMA) have called for greater regulation into cosmetic surgery following announcements of commissioned reviews into the industry. “The recent reports of patients who’ve suffered due to poor quality practices in the cosmetic surgery industry have been disturbing to say the least—clearly greater regulation…


Australian Paramedic Suspended After Taking Vaccine Mandate to Court

A New South Wales (NSW) paramedic who launched a legal challenge against the state government over vaccine mandates has been suspended from work immediately. John Larter, a veteran paramedic and deputy mayor of the Snowy Valleys Council, filed a lawsuit against the NSW State Health Minister Brad Hazzard challenging a public health order mandating health workers…


Sydney Doctor Suspended Over Social Media Posts Questioning Vaccine Efficacy, Health Restrictions

A Sydney anaesthetist who questioned the efficacy of vaccines and health restrictions—including lockdowns—has had his registration suspended by the state’s medical authorities. Dr. Paul Oosterhuis, who has been a medical practitioner for over 30 years, was brought before the New South Wales (NSW) Medical Council on Sept. 3, after “two anonymous complaints” were lodged against…