A great divide between doctors resurfaced last month, when GP Dr Jereth Kok faced a tribunal over 85 of his social media posts, including one where he described abortion doctors as “contract killers”.

Dr Kok was suspended five years ago under the Medical Board of Australia’s emergency powers, accused of inciting genocide and denigrating, demeaning and slurring other doctors, racial groups and the LGBTQI+ community online.

He denies the claims, saying the board has misinterpreted his dark humour.

On the first day of the hearing, Dr Kok’s lawyer described the case as the most important to be put before the tribunal in the last 30 years.