A whistleblower has urged corporate regulators to intervene in the deepening crisis at the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP), alleging Board misconduct and warning regulatory inaction risks “complicity”. Stephanie Tran reports.
In an email sent to ASIC and seen by MWM, a RACP whistleblower claims an external investigation by consultancy firm Centium substantiated multiple allegations of bullying and harassment against RACP president and chair Professor Jennifer Martin.
The email also alleges widespread breaches of directors’ duties and corporate governance obligations.
The appeal to regulators comes weeks after college members overwhelmingly rejected a second EGM to remove president-elect Dr Sharmila Chandran, and ongoing proceedings in the Fair Work Commission regarding allegations of bullying against Professor Martin.
Claims of bullying
According to the email, an external investigation conducted by Centium into Professor Martin’s conduct towards the College’s company secretary allegedly substantiated seven allegations of bullying and harassment. The whistleblower claims the findings were provided to the board earlier this month.
MWM has not independently verified the report’s conclusions. Martin has previously denied allegations of bullying and wrongdoing. Questions have been put to the College.
In the email, the whistleblower argues that if substantiated, the findings place Martin in breach of her duties under workplace health and safety laws, as well as the College’s own board charter.
“As a director and chair of RACP, Prof Martin is in breach of multiple clauses of the board charter,” the whistleblower wrote, citing obligations to foster a constructive culture, promote respectful relations and adhere to higher behavioural standards than staff.
The RACP was approached for comment on the whistleblower’s claims. A response had not been provided in time for the publication of this article.
The College has previously said it
rejects allegations of bullying or improper governance.
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Allegations of ongoing harm to staff
The email alleges the effects of the alleged conduct are ongoing and severe, claiming multiple senior staff members are now on stress or psychological leave.
The whistleblower describes what they say is a pattern of repeated investigations into Martin’s conduct dating back to 2022, with assurances following earlier mediation processes allegedly “breached repeatedly”.
“These matters are not historical,” the whistleblower wrote. “Despite being informed of these findings last week, Professor Martin continues her usual pattern of conduct.”
Board communique under scrutiny
The whistleblower’s plea to ASIC follows the release of a board communique sent to RACP members on 12 December, setting out decisions from board meetings held on October 31 and December 2.
According to the communique, the board decided not to release the names of those who requisitioned the failed extraordinary general meetings, citing concerns about psychological risk to the individuals involved and arguing the EGMs were “validly and democratically called” under the College’s constitution.
The document also reveals the board has abandoned plans to appoint new directors, citing public claims of “stacking” and an inability to “guarantee the safety” of potential appointees on the current board.
The proposed appointments had alarmed some members after a snap meeting was scheduled despite there being no further board meetings planned until February. There were also concerns regarding the transparency of the appointment process.
The communique notes that three prospective candidates withdrew their interest following the 26 November EGM result. Elections for new board members have now been deferred until early 2026, with appointments to commence in May.
The communique was allegedly released against the advice of legal counsel and without the approval of all directors.
Governance and financial concerns
Beyond bullying allegations, the whistleblower raises serious governance concerns, including claims that board minutes dating back to May 2025 remain unsigned, allegedly because the chair has sought to remove references to her conduct or alter resolutions.
The email alleges attempts to alter minutes, a claim that could raise regulatory issues under the Corporations Act. MWM has not independently verified these allegations.
The whistleblower also points to the approval of major financial decisions, including a $30m IT loan facility and an approximately $100m budget, at a December board meeting without the president-elect or treasurer present.
Use of member funds, pleas for regulators to intervene
The email further alleges that college funds continue to be used to for external legal advice despite the significant overspend on EGMs and constitutional changes that have failed.
In November, 125 RACP Fellows signed an open letter to Martin outlining concerns regarding the College’s expenditure and governance.
“The financial cost of this ongoing conflict is unprecedented and unsustainable. The significant expenditure of College funds over the past two years on legal wrangling and repeated, rejected EGMs represents an unacceptable misuse of member funds,” the letter stated.
The Fellows requested that Martin “consider stepping down” in light of the “clear rejection of the Board’s proposals and the profound loss of member confidence”.
“We strongly believe it is essential that you take personal responsibility for the unworkable situation that has developed,” the Fellows said.
In her response to the letter, Martin rejected the assertions regarding the board’s conduct and said that claims of misuse of funds were “unsubstantiated”.
“No evidence has been provided that the Board has “mismanaged” funds, and I do not accept that accusation.” Martin said.
The whistleblower implored ASIC to act, arguing the College’s monopoly over physician training and accreditation places its governance squarely in the public interest.
“Only regulators can act,” the email states. “Failure to intervene risks regulators being perceived as complicit in the conduct.”
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Stephanie is a journalist with a passion for uncovering stories that hold power to account. With a background in both law and journalism, she has worked at The Guardian and as a paralegal, where she assisted Crikey’s defence team in the high-profile defamation case brought by Lachlan Murdoch. Her reporting has been recognised nationally, earning her the 2021 Democracy’s Watchdogs Award for Student Investigative Reporting and a nomination for the 2021 Walkley Student Journalist of the Year Award.