Medical practitioner regulation: is it all about protecting the public?

This article explores the purpose of professional regulation as it applies to medical practitioners in Australia and New Zealand. Purpose is considered in terms of regulatory theory legislative statement, judicial commentary, and the realities of who and what is regulated and by whom. It is considered both in relation to the regulatory framework as a whole, and more specifically in relation to the disciplinary system that operates as a critical component of that framework. The author concludes that the dominant purpose of medical practitioner regulation should be the protection of the public, particularly when it comes to disciplinary decision-making. While it may be reasonable for broader public interest considerations, such as workforce supply, to be taken into account when it comes to making registration decisions, extreme caution should be exercised in allowing such considerations to influence disciplinary decisions.