Victorian Current Acts Victorian Current ActsS. 24(1) substituted by No. 22/2022 s. 178(2).
(1) This section applies if the Board has made a determination—
(a) to conduct a preliminary investigation into a complaint made to the Board about the professional conduct of a registered veterinary practitioner; or
(b) to conduct a formal or informal hearing into the professional conduct of a registered veterinary practitioner without a preliminary investigation.
S. 24(1A) inserted by No. 22/2022 s. 178(2).
(1A) The Board may—
(a) enter into a written agreement with the registered veterinary practitioner to impose a condition, limitation or restriction on the practitioner's registration until any investigation and any hearing into the matter is completed if the Board is of the opinion that to do so would not pose a serious risk to the health and safety of the public or endanger the health and welfare of animals; or
(b) suspend the registration of the registered veterinary practitioner until any investigation and any hearing into the matter is completed if the Board is of the opinion that it is necessary to do so because there is a serious risk that the health and safety of the public or the health and welfare of animals will be endangered.
S. 24(2) amended by No. 22/2022 s. 178(3).
(2) If the Board has suspended the registration of a veterinary practitioner under subsection (1A)(b), it must—
(a) immediately notify the veterinary practitioner of that suspension and the reasons for the suspension; and
(b) ensure that the matter is investigated as soon as possible after that suspension.
S. 24(3) inserted by No. 48/2016 s. 15, amended by No. 22/2022 s. 178(4).
(3) The Board, before any investigation or hearing into the matter is completed, must revoke the suspension of a veterinary practitioner's registration under subsection (1A)(b) if the Board is no longer of the opinion that it is necessary to suspend the registration because there is a serious risk that the health and safety of the public or the health and welfare of animals will be endangered.
S. 24(3A) inserted by No. 22/2022 s. 178(5).
(3A) The Board may, before any investigation or hearing into the matter is completed—
(a) with the agreement of the registered veterinary practitioner, vary any condition, limitation or restriction imposed on the registration of the practitioner under subsection (1A)(a); or
(b) revoke any condition, limitation or restriction imposed on the registration of the practitioner under subsection (1A)(a).
S. 24(3B) inserted by No. 22/2022 s. 178(5).
(3B) If, at a formal hearing, the Board determines to impose a condition, limitation or restriction on the registration of a veterinary practitioner under section 45(2)(f), any condition, limitation or restriction imposed on the registration of the practitioner under subsection (1A)(a) is revoked on the day of the determination.
S. 24(4) inserted by No. 48/2016 s. 15, substituted by No. 22/2022 s. 178(6).
(4) If the suspension of a veterinary practitioner's registration under subsection (1A)(b) or a condition, restriction or limitation imposed under subsection (1A)(a) is revoked under this section, the Board must immediately serve a written notice personally or by registered post on the veterinary practitioner informing the practitioner of that revocation and the date of that revocation.
Division 2—Preliminary investigation into the health of registered veterinary practitioners
S. 25 amended by No. 103/2003 s. 54.