ASoP and NASOG raise concerns regarding political fundraising event
- Jul 5
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 7
ASoP members expressed concerns regarding the involvement of the Presidents of both the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) in a planned political fundraising event associated with the Australian Labor Party. The event was subsequently cancelled prior to taking place following concerns raised by members.
On 1 July 2026, ASoP and the National Association of Specialist Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (NASOG) wrote a joint letter to the Boards of both Colleges and the Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges (CPMC) outlining these concerns and seeking clarification regarding the governance, conflict of interest and political neutrality issues raised by the event invitation.
Following receipt of the letter, RANZCOG responded within 24 hours, announcing an independent review of the matter. The RANZCOG President also issued an unreserved apology to members.
On 4 July 2026, the RANZCP Board wrote to its members advising that an independent review would also be undertaken. A statement was provided by the RANZCP President on the College website explaining the event.
ASoP welcomes the decision of both Colleges to commission independent reviews and supports transparent governance processes that maintain the confidence of members and the broader community.
One of ASoP's founding principles is courage. We believe that professional leadership requires a willingness to raise difficult issues respectfully and in good faith, including when those issues arise within our own professional institutions. Strong professions are built on a commitment to transparency, accountability and continual improvement.
The joint letter from ASoP and NASOG is provided below.
We write to raise a matter of serious concern requiring urgent attention.
During the past week, the Presidents of RANZCP and RANZCOG, acting in their official capacities, were directly involved in organising and promoting a fundraiser for the Australian Labor Party (see above screenshot). While the event was cancelled after concerns were raised by members, there has been no response from either College. The existence of this event raises significant legal, ethical and governance questions that demand a formal response.
As far as we are concerned, these actions are troubling. The event was presented as an educational forum, with discounted registration rates for trainees, yet buried in the fine print was the following disclosure:
"All funds raised go towards Victorian ALP State Campaigns. Authorised by Steve Staikos, Australian Labor Party – Victorian Branch, 438 Docklands Drive, Docklands VIC 3008."
The two College Presidents then actively promoted this event through their professional forums, encouraging fellows and trainees to attend.
Compounding this, the political candidate central to the event is the spouse of the RANZCP Victorian Branch Chair; a conflict of interest that was apparently not disclosed nor managed.
As you would be well aware, this conduct cuts directly against obligations that College members have been repeatedly reminded of in recent years:
to preserve political neutrality;
to manage conflicts of interest transparently; and
to comply with the legal responsibilities that flow from the Colleges' status as registered charities.
That the Presidents themselves appear to have disregarded these obligations, leveraging their positions and networks for explicit political fundraising, is extraordinary.
Unsurprisingly, members of both Colleges are demanding answers. Their confidence in College governance has been shaken and the reputational damage to these institutions is real.
To demonstrate that our Colleges take their governance obligations seriously, we formally request that RANZCP and RANZCOG:
Conduct a thorough, independent and transparent investigation into this matter;
Provide clear guidance to the College Presidents and office bearers on their obligations regarding political neutrality, conflicts of interest and charity law compliance; and
Establish measures to prevent recurrence and communicate those to the membership.
Our Colleges are so central to our health system. They are responsible to their members, and to the community as a whole, for upholding the standards of our professions.
That trust cannot be taken for granted.
We ask that the College Boards act swiftly and decisively to reaffirm the governance standards all office holders are expected to meet.
Given the seriousness of these matters and the need to maintain member and public confidence, we request a written response within 14 days of the date of this letter.
We have written to the Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges separately to make a similar request.
We raise these concerns because they engage important charitable governance obligations that, if left unresolved, may attract scrutiny from the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). In keeping with the ACNC's preferred approach, we are seeking to resolve these matters through the College's own governance processes by raising them directly with the CPMC and the Colleges in the first instance.
We look forward to your urgent response.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Elizabeth Jackson
Specialist Obstetrician Gynaecologist
Fellowship attained 2016, MBBS, NASOG, MReproMed, MMIS, MBA
President, NASOG
Dr Pramudie Gunaratne
Neuropsychiatrist
MD BMed BA (Int Rel) MMed (Psychiatry) MSc (Pub Health) FRANZCP GAICD
CEO/Executive Director, ASoP
Note: The letter above does not intend to make any claims about the RANZCP Victorian Branch Chair. The conflict of interest concerns raised relate to the involvement of the College Presidents in a political fundraising event.
