Restrictions on the Use of Expert Reports in Health Practitioner Proceedings
Health Practitioner Legislation Amendment Bill 2024
1st House
2nd House
Law
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
Expert reports cannot be used in court or tribunal proceedings; they are only for health care complaint or disciplinary hearings.
Experts and the Commission cannot be forced to give evidence about these reports in other courts.
People who would have been suspended from a health profession cannot reapply for registration until that suspension period ends.
Written reasons for Council decisions are not admissible in civil or criminal courts.
Assessors can force people to answer questions or hand over records for performance assessments.
Fines apply to people who refuse to provide information to an assessor without a reasonable excuse.
Complainants can withdraw their complaints at any time via written or oral notice.
The Commission can hire experts for reports; it must ensure the expert has no financial link to the practitioner.