AHPRA sanctioned a high-profile GP for criticising politicians, governments and senior bureaucrats because his comments could lead the public to “doubt their integrity”, it has emerged.

The treatment of Dr David Berger at the hands of the regulator has renewed the debate on the freedom of doctors to question, criticise or challenge governments over fundamental issues of public health or patient safety.

Last month, the WA GP was cautioned by the Medical Board of Australia and ordered to undergo “a program of education” lasting at least six hours following an anonymous complaint about comments he had posted to his 35,000 Twitter followers.

It is not clear which posts were the subject of the complaint. But Dr Berger has, over the past two years, argued for tougher pandemic controls and better PPE for healthcare workers.