A group of prominent plastic surgeons has lost its legal bid to overturn the Australian medical regulator’s new guidelines targeting dodgy operators in the $1.4 billion cosmetic surgery industry.
The country’s health ministers agreed to the new guidelines, which were issued by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and the board, in an attempt to regulate “cosmetic cowboys” in the controversial industry and make it safer for the public.from the board despite not undertaking the training that would make them proper surgeons.
Acting Justice John Griffiths on Tuesday dismissed the surgeons’ case, finding the decision to issue the guidelines was valid, and the board had operated within its powers under the relevant laws. Griffiths also found sections of the guidelines “strongly suggest that the protection of the public, and public confidence, and the safety of relevant services were considered”.
A spokeswoman for AHPRA and the board said they would continue to enforce the new guidelines, which had led to positive changes in the “lucrative and hotly contested” industry.