Cory Bernardi (SA, Australian Conservatives) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate:

(a) notes that the Medical Board of Australia has proposed a new code of conduct that arguably curtails the free speech of doctors;

(b) further notes that the Australian Medical Association in its submission on the revised code states "Section 2 of the draft revised Code could be seen as trying to control what doctors say in the public arena by stifling doctors' right to publicly express both personal and professional opinions, while also undermining doctors' contribution to the diversity of public opinion, debate, and discourse"; and

(c) welcomes the voices of common sense defending free speech and urges the Minister for Health to work with responsible ministers and agencies to ensure doctors retain their freedom of speech.