Summary
The bitter internal conflict engulfing the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) has intensified, with a Fair Work Commission hearing into alleged bullying leaving the organization’s leadership and reputation in turmoil.
The Fair Work Commission this week heard president-elect Dr. Sharmila Chandran’s request for a “stop bullying” order against current RACP president Professor Jennifer Martin. The case, marked by emotional testimony and counterclaims, consumed three days of hearings dominated by the cross-examination of Dr. Chandran, leaving 17 additional witnesses unheard and the matter adjourned until at least January.
Dr. Chandran, who is due to assume the presidency in May 2026, argues the extraordinary general meetings (EGMs) scheduled for late October to consider removing her from the board are an extension of the bullying she has faced. She claims to have been yelled at, muted in meetings, excluded from business, and subjected to behavior that made her feel unsafe.
Her legal team has expanded the complaint to include the college, its CEO, and board member Dr. John O’Donnell, alleging they failed to act on earlier whistleblower warnings in 2024.
RACP’s counsel, Ken Brotherson, rejected the allegations, portraying the dispute as a boardroom power struggle over governance reforms and accusing Dr. Chandran of disruptive and repetitive behavior that frustrated colleagues.
Observers say the relationship between Dr. Chandran and Professor Martin has become irreparable, with prior mediation efforts collapsing last year and leading to a vote of no confidence in Dr. Chandran.
With the Fair Work matter unlikely to be resolved before the EGMs proceed, questions now loom over whether the college can recover from the reputational fallout of a feud that has exposed deep divisions within one of Australia’s most prestigious medical institutions.