Medical college asks ACNC to intervene in dysfunction
One of Australia’s largest medical schools has asked the charities watchdog to urgently dissolve its board, just hours before members are due to vote on whether to sack the institution’s president.
In a letter to more than 32,000 members of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) on Friday, honorary treasurer Dr Nicholas Buckmaster said the board could no longer function effectively after months of dysfunction and infighting between directors and managers.
Buckmaster said the board had asked Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC) Commissioner Sue Woodward to use her powers to immediately remove each of the board directors.
Buckmaster wrote that the commissioner should consider whether to permanently remove any administrators and appoint board members who can help the college remain compliant and “continue to fulfill its philanthropic mission.”
“This approach reflects the Board’s collective responsibility to protect the long-term integrity of the College and the interests of members, trainees, and the communities we serve,” he wrote.
University members were expected to start voting on Friday on whether to dismiss current president Professor Jennifer Martin at the fifth extraordinary general meeting (EGM) in six months.
Buckmaster said the request for regulatory intervention was not intended to influence the outcome of the vote.
“The current Board of Directors will not take any action to alter, delay or interfere with the voting rights of members and will implement the results of the EGM in accordance with the College Bylaws,” he wrote.
The College is responsible for the training and accreditation of approximately 32,000 doctors in 33 specialties across Australia and New Zealand. Buckmaster said these core functions will continue.
Dr Sharmila Chandran, a Melbourne-based kidney doctor, will take over from outgoing chairman Martin in May, but her path It was marred by constant fights within the university.
Chandran received three votes from the EGM on constitutional amendments that would prevent him from assuming the dual roles of president and chairman of the board.
He also launched “stop bullying” proceedings against the university at the Fair Work Commission last year, which he has since dropped.
In a statement to this imprint, Chandran distanced himself from Buckmaster’s announcement, which he said was “highly inappropriate.”
“I raised my own concerns with regulators many times last year,” he said.
“Regulators have also been contacted by members and repeated advice has been taken into account. [that] Members take action.
“They took action and called against the EGM [Professor] “Martin.”
The ACNC said it could not comment.
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Angus Thomson is a health reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect with: X or email.
