Adjudication No. 333 (May 1987) [1987] APC 20

ADJUDICATION No. 333 (May 1987)

On 29 April, 1985, The Sydney Morning Herald published an item by Peter Smark and Margaret Harris under the heading "Sydney's leading doctors: a Medicare cheque list". The article sets out some of the substantial gross payments made by Medicare to several Sydney doctors. Certain of these are named and after naming the doctor whom the writers conclude received the largest payment, the writers state.

Of course staff salaries and other costs of running a practice must be paid from these gross figures.

The Australian Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons on behalf of itself and on behalf of two of its members, Dr Bruce Shepherd and Dr Mervyn Cross, has complained to the Press Council about the article, stating that it goes beyond the bounds of legitimate public interest, and that both its content and style offend the named doctors' right to privacy and fair editorial comment.

The Council can understand the Society's concern for its members' privacy, but believes that the article, although colourfully written, can reasonably be seen as a contribution to continuing public controversy surrounding doctors' incomes in general, and the Medicare component of those incomes in particular.

The Press Council considers that publication of information about Medicare payments to doctors is of legitimate public interest, and endorses The Sydney Morning Herald's right to bring this material into the public domain.

The Council does not believe that any of its principles were breached and dismisses the complaint.