TASMANIAN Senator Jacqui Lambie is entering murky territory by threatening to use parliamentary privilege to name and shame a doctor she says is "dangerously unsafe".
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Senator Lambie gave the ultimatum that unless the federal Health Minister stands the Tasmanian practitioner aside immediately and an independent investigation is conducted, she would identify the doctor.
The Palmer United Party senator was also critical of the investigative body, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, saying it was accused of being dysfunctional, incompetent and/or misconduct.
Complaints or concerns against medical practitioners must be acted upon promptly and these complaints might well be founded.
But proper process and fairness must also be afforded to respondents and the body tasked with investigating complaints must be allowed to conduct its work without being threatened.
It is an undoubtedly difficult situation for the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
The presumption of innocence and a person's rights to fair process must be weighed against the potential well-being of the public and its rights to access safe medical treatment.
While not aware of the case, Australian Medical Association of Tasmania president Tim Greenaway said the hospital involved would be reviewing the serious allegations as a matter of urgency.
The Tasmanian Health Department said it was following a fair and proper process to consider the allegations against the doctor.
Senator Lambie criticised the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, saying it was unhealthy for doctors to be solely responsible for registering and disciplining other doctors.
Who else is better qualified to review a complaint against a health professional than other health professionals?
One might add politicians threatening to use parliamentary privilege to demand someone's head to the list of unhealthy practices.
