Commentary
On Oct. 12, the Queensland Labor government—with support from the Liberal-National Party opposition—passed the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022.
This may result in amendments to the legislation of all other Australian states, to ensure a uniform “national law” that turns government-linked entities into a single authority on all health advice in the nation.
Indeed, Section 59 (5) of the Act subjects health practitioners to the threat of immediate suspension of their license for daring to contradict public health directions and official public health messaging.
Under Section 90AA (1)(b), discretionary powers are given to a “health ombudsman” to issue a statement if they believe the public’s safety may be at risk….