Two Free Speech Union-linked figures appointed to Medical Council
Health Minister Simeon Brown has appointed two people with Free Speech Union connections to the Medical Council, raising questions about the union's influence.
Health Minister Simeon Brown has appointed Dr Manoja Kalupahana and Roderick Mulgan to the Medical Council. Both have links to the Free Speech Union, an organisation that has championed their causes. The two met with Brown as part of an FSU delegation in May 2025 to discuss the union's concerns about conscience rights in healthcare and cases before the disciplinary tribunal. The appointments have prompted debate about the union's influence over health sector regulation.
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Stuff
Doctor at centre of free speech row appointed to Medical Council
Dr Manoja Kalupahana has been appointed by Health Minister Simeon Brown to the statutory body responsible for regulating New Zealand's 20,000 doctors.
The Spinoff
Why is the Free Speech Union suddenly so involved in the Medical Council?
Two new appointments to the Medical Council raise an obvious question and competing issues around free speech, writes Henry Oliver in today’s excerpt from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here . This morning,…
Stuff
Second Free Speech Union figure appointed to regulate doctors after meeting minister
A former chairperson of the Free Speech Union (FSU) – who lobbied Health Minister Simeon Brown over proposed changes to how doctors are regulated – has been appointed to the Medical Council.