HEALTH PRACTITIONERS — CRIMINAL CONVICTION
DISCLOSURE
1219. Hon TJORN SIBMA to the minister representing the
Minister for Health:
I refer again to the disclosure of
criminal convictions by medical practitioners.
(1) Are doctors
and, indeed, all medical practitioners obliged to disclose all criminal
convictions, including those recorded in other states, territories and
countries, to the Department of Health, relevant health service or their
private employer prior to commencing employment?
(2) If not, why not?
Hon
MATTHEW SWINBOURN replied:
On behalf of the minister
representing the Minister for Health, I thank the member for some notice of the
question. I provide the following answer based on information provided to me by
the Minister for Health.
(1)–(2) When a practitioner first applies for registration,
the Medical Board of Australia requires the applicant to declare their
criminal history in all countries, including Australia. When practitioners
renew their registration, they must disclose any changes to their criminal
history. Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency must check an
applicant's criminal history during the registration process to ensure
that only those practitioners who are suitable and safe to practise are granted
registration in Australia.
Further,
all employees, including medical practitioners, undergo criminal record
screening. The Department of Health and all health service providers
conduct criminal record screening of all new employees to assure themselves
that any criminal matters that might go to a person's suitability for
employment are adequately considered.