Psychology Board of Australia v Wakelin (No 2)

In Psychology Board of Australia v Wakelin (No 2), the Psychology Board of Australia brought disciplinary proceedings against the respondent, Ms Wakelin, a registered psychologist. The Board sought further orders following Ms Wakelin's registration renewal, specifically seeking a suspension order. The Tribunal was tasked with determining whether Ms Wakelin's conduct constituted professional misconduct and, if so, what appropriate disciplinary measures should be imposed.

The central legal issue before the Tribunal was whether Ms Wakelin's actions warranted a finding of professional misconduct, and if so, what conditions should be imposed on her registration moving forward. The Tribunal examined evidence related to Ms Wakelin's professional conduct, her history of complaints, and the specific incidents that led to the Board's application. The Tribunal needed to balance the need to protect the public with Ms Wakelin's right to practise her profession.

The Tribunal found that Ms Wakelin's conduct indeed constituted professional misconduct. It determined that a suspension order was necessary to protect the public until Ms Wakelin could demonstrate her fitness to practise safely. The Tribunal imposed a series of stringent conditions on any future registration, including supervised practice, mandatory reporting to the Board, and a prohibition on independent practice. These measures were designed to ensure that Ms Wakelin would not pose a risk to the public if she were to return to practice.

In addition to the suspension and conditions, the Tribunal ordered that Ms Wakelin bear the costs and expenses of meeting the requirements of these orders and pay the Board's costs of and incidental to these proceedings, excluding those incurred in connection with the application for renewal.