Matt Murdoch: Man allegedly posed as doctor, facing fraud charges

He’s well known for his feud with radio broadcaster Ray Hadley, having tried unsuccessfully to take an AVO out against him in 2010, but Matt Murdoch was in court this time for fraud charges with allegations he posed as a specialist doctor.

Matt John Murdoch, aka Matt Mills, outside Gosford Local Court in 2018. Picture: Richard Noone

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A Hunter man who’s accused of setting up a business scam by acting as a specialist doctor to defraud money from clients told a court he intends to plead not guilty to the charge.

Matt Murdoch, formerly known as Matt Mills or Reverend Doctor Matt John Peter Murdoch, appeared in Newcastle Local Court on Thursday hoping to get his bail conditions reviewed.

He told Magistrate Sharon Crews he wanted his curfew removed and reduced reporting, but was unsuccessful and the application was withdrawn.

The 53-year-old was charged with dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception, by allegedly claiming to set up the business ‘Calmful Kids’.

2GB Radio star Ray Hadley at Blacktown Court to answer an AVO taken out against by Matt Murdoch.

Matt Murdoch (formerly Matt Mills) in 2010.

Police allege he used an alias and the business to promote himself as a clinical psychologist and psychiatrist to fraudulently receive money from clients of over $11,000.

In November 2019, detectives from Strike Force Corymbia investigated Mr Murdoch for the alleged offences and he was arrested at his home in Ellalong, south of Cessnock, last month.

His matter has been adjourned until September.

The 51-year-old is known for unsuccessfully applying for an apprehended violence order (AVO) against radio broadcaster Ray Hadley in 2010.

It was thrown out in court in 2011 and he was ordered to pay legal costs in excess of $100,000.