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The High Court granted an application by the statutory regulatory body to suspend a registered medical practitioner's registration, prohibiting him from practising medicine in the State until further steps are taken under the professional regulatory process. The suspension was sought in light of serious criminal charges in another jurisdiction concerning alleged child sexual abuse and possession of indecent images, and also because the respondent had denied the existence of any criminal investigation on a mandatory professional form. The court found that the threshold for suspension was met: the allegations were extremely serious, the case appeared strong based on the materials provided, and a finding against the practitioner would likely result in removal from the register. The judge balanced the public interest in protection against the respondent's constitutional rights and presumption of innocence, but concluded that the need to protect the public outweighed those considerations. The suspension order remains until relevant regulatory steps are taken, with liberty to apply to vary or discharge.
interim suspension – medical practitioner – criminal charges – child pornography allegations – regulatory proceedings – serious misconduct – register suspension – presumption of innocence – public safety – Medical Practitioners Act 2007 – section 60 – fitness to practise – constitutional rights – balancing exercise – originating notice of motion
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