Review of Trade Practices Act must look at ACCC treatment of doctors
AMA President, Dr Kerryn Phelps, said today that the Committee of Inquiry into the competition provisions of the Trade Practices Act 1974 must examine the hardline methods employed by the ACCC in its attacks on the work practices of individual doctors.
Dr Phelps said the ACCC's harassment of doctors, especially over work rosters to provide 24-hour 7-day-a-week health services for communities, is a disgrace and a misuse of inappropriate legislation.
"The ACCC menaces doctors with a persecution-prosecution-press release approach that gives hardworking doctors little or no opportunity to defend themselves," Dr Phelps said.
"Interrogation techniques employed by the ACCC do not have a place in a civilised society like ours.
"Apart from the harm and the shame that is rained on the doctors and their families by the ACCC, questionable application of the Trade Practices Act is leaving communities without vital health services.
"Following a recent ACCC 'raid' on Rockhampton, the district faces a dramatic shortage of obstetric services.
"Two of three private obstetricians have no option but to withdraw from practising obstetrics in the Rockhampton area because of the ACCC's attacks on their rosters.
"Many women, including those from outlying Aboriginal settlements, will now encounter great inconvenience throughout their pregnancies.
CONTACT: John Flannery (02) 6270 5477 / (0419) 494 761
Sarah Crichton (02) 6270 5472 / (0419) 440 076