Tribunal reprimands psychologist, finds unprofessional conduct

21 Jan 2016

A tribunal has reprimanded a psychologist and found she engaged in unprofessional conduct for failing to disclose being convicted of driving-related offences.

The Psychology Board of Australia (the Board) had referred Ms Dianah Cameron, a psychologist practising on the Sunshine Coast, to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT), after she was convicted of various offences related to driving without a licence or under the influence of alcohol.

Due to the repeat and serious nature of the offences, Ms Cameron served terms of imprisonment.

The Board alleged that Ms Cameron had engaged in professional misconduct for failing to disclose her criminal history when she applied to renew her registration, as she was required by law to do.

The Board also alleged that Ms Cameron had failed to advise the Board within seven days of being charged and convicted of an offence punishable by 12 months imprisonment, as she was also required by law to do.

Ms Cameron admitted to the allegations and at the QCAT hearing in June 2015, the Board and Ms Cameron made a joint submission proposing that she had engaged in unprofessional conduct rather than professional misconduct.

The proposal reflected Ms Cameron’s insight into her behaviour, demonstrated by her early admission and full cooperation, and because her actions were not deliberate. Ms Cameron had been unaware of her statutory obligations and thought the offences were “traffic offences” and not “serious criminal offences”.

QCAT found that Ms Cameron had engaged in unprofessional conduct, reprimanded her and ordered her to pay the Board’s legal costs.

The decision is published on Austlii.