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Convicted rapist GP Shafiul Milky still licenced by AHPRA and Medical Board of Australia

Survivors of a convicted rapist have been left seething after revelations he is yet to be deregistered as a doctor, despite an 11 year jail sentence for the vile sexual abuse of six patients.

Peninsula Family Medical Practice in Ocean Grove where Dr Shafiul Milky worked. Picture: Brad Fleet
Peninsula Family Medical Practice in Ocean Grove where Dr Shafiul Milky worked. Picture: Brad Fleet

Survivors of a convicted rapist have been left seething after revelations the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency is yet to deregister him as a doctor, despite an 11 year jail sentence for the vile sexual abuse of six patients.

Former Ocean Grove GP Shafiul Milky, who was found guilty by a County Court jury in March last year of 15 charges against six women, is still listed as a medical practitioner with AHPRA and the Medical Board of Australia as he sits inside a jail cell.

One of the abused women, Fran Millington, said she has been asked to provide testimony for an independent AHPRA hearing of her “horrific” experiences inside a clinic with the man she dubbed “the devil doctor”, more than a year after he was sent to prison after a lengthy trial.

Dr Shaiful Milky is serving an 11 year prison sentence. Picture: Mark Wilson
Dr Shaiful Milky is serving an 11 year prison sentence. Picture: Mark Wilson

“We have been through hell and back and here they are just bringing all this trauma up,” she said.

“AHPRA seem to be above the Australian law, because a court has found him guilty and thrown him in jail, yet they still haven’t struck him off their list.

“How is that possible? It’s disgusting and degrading.”

Arnold Thomas and Becker lawyer, Jodie Harris, told this masthead the firm was concerned complaints by a number of women against the doctor to AHPRA had not been acted on.

“We are now looking into what the medical practice and AHPRA had done to protect female patients,” she said.

Ms Harris, who leads the firm’s Geelong branch, said the Peninsula Family Medical Practice had been served for three women Milky was convicted of abusing, with the combined suit tipped to run into the millions of dollars if proven.

Dr Shafiul Milky allegedly assaulted six patients.
Dr Shafiul Milky allegedly assaulted six patients.

It’s understood they are investigating another nine cases and anticipate issuing further proceedings against the clinic “in the near future”.

The disgraced doctor is appealing his conviction and sentence in the Supreme Court of Victoria, with the hearing set for June 7.

An AHPRA spokesman said its probe concerning Dr Milky was “awaiting the outcome of the criminal proceedings, which take precedence.”

“Our investigations resumed once the criminal proceedings were finalised, but for legal reasons we are unable to comment further,” he said.

The spokesman said Milky was suspended during the court case and he remained suspended, but did not answer when he would be banned permanently.

Survivor Fran Millington. Picture: Supplied
Survivor Fran Millington. Picture: Supplied

“While we cannot comment on individuals, in cases of serious criminal offending the matter is generally referred to the relevant tribunal,” he said.

“Only a court or tribunal can cancel a practitioner’s registration.”

Ms Millington said having to relive the abuse by giving evidence at another hearing was “disheartening”.

“We have to repeat ourselves all over again,” she said.

“Just to satisfy whether they (AHPRA) should be striking him off their list, even though a court has found him guilty and he’s in jail.”

Milky, who was born in Bangladesh, will likely be deported to New Zealand after serving his sentence.

mark.murray@news.com.au

If you or someone you know is affected by sexual assault or harassment, call 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732. In an emergency, call triple-0.

Originally published as Convicted rapist GP Shafiul Milky still licenced by AHPRA and Medical Board of Australia

Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/news/geelong/convicted-rapist-gp-shafiul-milky-still-licenced-by-ahpra-and-medical-board-of-australia/news-story/1f8f2f9f68d3122442c209eb61091699