The recent Federal Court decision in Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (NSW) v Allianz Australia Insurance Limited [2023] FCA 190 arose out of historic claims of sexual and physical abuse at Knox Grammar School in Sydney, dating back to the 1970’s.

This case note discusses the 14 April 2022 decision in Pridgeon v Medical Council of New South Wales [2022] NSWCA 60.

This particular matter arises from extraordinary circumstances that may never again be seen in quite the same way. Nevertheless, the case has broad application due to its interpretation of the scope of the “public interest” aspect of s.150 of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (NSW), and its proper use.

The Practitioner in this matter, Dr Pridgeon, is a general practitioner who formerly worked in Grafton, located in northern New South Wales.  On 29 October 2018, the NSW Medical Council suspended his registration under section 150. 

The Practitioner sought reviews of the decision from the Council, but the suspension was affirmed. He then appealed to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal, which dismissed his appeal.

The Practitioner appealed to the NSW Court of Appeal.