Lawyers for the South Australian government are challenging a certificate issued by the Deputy State Coroner compelling a doctor to give evidence about ambulance ramping at an inquest. The certificate provides protections from disciplinary action for breaching the Public Sector Code of Ethics, but the state argues the coroner acted beyond his powers.
The state government's lawyers is challenging a certificate issued by the coroner compelling the doctor to appear at an inquest.The SA Deputy State Coroner issued a doctor with a certificate that compels her to give evidence about ambulance ramping at an inquest, but provides protections from disciplinary action for breaching the Public Sector Code of Ethics.
The former site director at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, Dr Megan Brooks, was due to give evidence at the inquest last month. But the Attorney-General has applied to the Supreme Court for a judicial review of the coroner's decision. "If she is authorised on those terms and she's given that comfort, then this application has little utility from our perspective," he said.
Kyam Maher says he understands the Supreme Court is being asked to give 'guidance' on how the scheme works.Speaking on Thursday, Attorney-General Kyam Maher said the bid to the Supreme Court was not an attempt to block the doctor from giving evidence. "I understand how this scheme operates is it is the Coroner's Court who can provide that certificate, that what is said or used in a coronial hearing is not used in another forum against a person who uses that," Mr Maher said.
Ambulance Ramping Coroners Act Disciplinary Action Evidence Legal Dispute
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