Medical board refers Liberals’ Albany candidate to tribunal after LGBTQI+ comments

The Medical Board of Australia has referred Liberal candidate for Albany Thomas Brough to the State Administrative Tribunal for comments he made that the ‘+’ in LGBTQI+ referred to “minor-attracted persons”.

Brough, who is an emergency doctor and City of Albany councillor, made the comment at a city council meeting in February last year which WAtoday understands triggered several complaints to healthcare watchdog the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.

WA Liberals candidate for Albany Tom Brough. Credit: Tom Brough/Instagram

In a December 5 letter from AHPRA to a complainant that was leaked to media this week, AHPRA said its subsidiary, the Medical Board of Australia, had decided to refer the matter to a tribunal.

“On 20 November 2024, the Medical Board of Australia decided to refer the matter to a tribunal ... because it reasonably believes that the practitioner has behaved in a way that constitutes professional misconduct,” the letter read.

The letter does not detail the nature of the complaint, but WAtoday understands it relates to Brough’s LGBTQI+ comments.

The complainant’s name was blacked out on the leaked letter.

AHPRA’s website states matters referred to tribunals happen only for the most serious allegations.

Medical board referrals are heard in the State Administrative Tribunal in Western Australia, but Brough’s matter is not yet listed.

Brough was defiant when asked about the matter.

“Unlike the activists who have chosen to leak what should be a confidential matter, I will respect due process and let the facts speak for themselves,” he said.

“This calculated leak shows just how desperate my political opponents have become. It will not distract me from my campaign, nor will it silence me on important issues.

“I will continue to stand up for my community and for common sense.”

Brough made the comments in February 2024, after councillors praised Albany Pride Festival.

“I would encourage people to look into what minor-attracted persons are,” he said at the meeting.

The WA Country Health Service lashed Brough’s comments in the following days.

“Dr Brough’s comments are unacceptable and not representative of our commitment to inclusive and respectful healthcare,” a spokesperson said at the time.

“As an organisation, we expect all health practitioners to comply with their profession’s code of conduct, which condemns discrimination.”

Brough was preselected by the Liberals in May, months after making the comments.

Brough’s comments have been a headache for Liberal leader Libby Mettam who has continued to defend his preselection amid pressure from WA Labor.

On Monday, she said she was not aware of the AHPRA investigation.

Brough took out a restraining order against an Albany woman in November last year after receiving verbal and online threats.

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