Anti-vaxxer doctor John Piesse makes bid to practise medicine again

A former Mitcham GP, who was accused of helping families dodge vaccinations under the “no jab, no play” laws is fighting for the right to again practise medicine.

Dr John Piesse arrives at the Natural Healing Centre in Mitcham. Picture: Nicole Gamston

Anti-vaxxer former GP John Piesse is fighting a fresh legal battle to try to regain his medical registration.

A year after being forced to retire over his controversial stance on vaccinations, Mr ­Piesse is fighting the Medical Practitioners Board for the right to again practise medicine.

The move has outraged Victoria’s health minister and chief health officer and comes as the nation’s health watchdog seeks a permanent cancellation of Mr Piesse’s medical registration.

Revelations that Mr Piesse’s medical insurers have funded his legal fight over the past two years have also raised questions about where more than $140,000 donated via a fundraising page have gone.

Dr John Piesse arrives at the Natural Healing Centre in Mitcham. Picture: Nicole Gamston

When Mr Piesse outlined plans to fight allegations of professional misconduct at a directions hearing 10 days ago, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal ordered a compulsory conference with the Medical Board of Australia on November 12.

Health Minister Jenny Mikakos on Wednesday backed legal moves to strike Mr Piesse out of the medical profession.

“There’s no doubt about it. Vaccination saves lives. Any other views are just dangerous and wrong,” she said.

Mr Piesse’s medical registration was first suspended in September 2017 after the Herald Sun revealed a video of him discussing his use of vaccination exemptions at an anti-vaxxer event.

Anti-Vax Doctor John Piesse arrives at a VCAT hearing. Monday, April 9. 2018. Picture: David Crosling

In July last year the Mitcham GP surrendered his registration, ending a legal battle over claims he helped hundreds of families dodge vaccinations under the “no jab, no play” laws that require children to be vaccinated to attend childcare or kinder.

But the MBA yesterday confirmed it had commenced further “disciplinary proceedings” against John Piesse.

Graeme Little — who VCAT has authorised to act as Mr Piesse’s “professional advocate” — confirmed Mr Piesse was intending to fight the allegations.

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“The reality is the insurance company has withdrawn the funding for Dr (sic) Piesse to continue defending the substantive allegations that were served on him in March,” Mr Little said.

A fundraising page initially set up to pay for Dr Piesse’s legal defence, but later amended to also fund “research on the history of unvaccinated children”, attracted $142,000 in donations.

Mr Little said the fundraising had occurred “a long time ago”.

Victoria’s chief health officer, Dr Brett Sutton, commended the Medical Board for continuing its legal action.

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