Tensions at the highest levels of the college of physicians have taken flame once more.
The turbulence at the Royal Australasian College of Physicians is nowhere near finished, it seems, with a new communique from incoming president Dr Sharmila Chandran raising concern over the college’s financial situation.
“I have escalating concerns about the financial governance, ethical leadership, and organisational culture of the RACP, causing great risks to its survival as a medical college,” Dr Chandran said in a letter to RACP members.
“On 2 February 2026, the only non-member director, the Treasurer resigned after less than four months on the Board.
“He raised significant cultural issues as the reason for his departure.
“His resignation leaves a Board of four directors with no formal financial qualifications or specialist financial expertise, despite the College having entered a $30 million loan in late 2025.”
This communique has been disavowed by current RACP president Professor Jennifer Martin, who said the email was sent without the board’s knowledge or approval.
Management of the RACP’s IT department was a major concern for Dr Chandran, who alleged that, despite more than $40 million being invested into IT, there was no one with IT expertise on the board.
In response, Professor Martin said that RACP IT projects are overseen by an independent committee that has met three separate times since July 2025.
“Even if there is a committee, no board members currently have IT skills,” Dr Chandran told The Medical Republic.
“If somebody explains it to a board member, you want whoever is explaining it to you to explain it in good faith.
“Documents can be dressed to look very positive, and you want to be asking the right question, which is why you need IT skills from the board if you’re investing $40 million in it, and we don’t have that.”
Related
Issues with bullying within the RACP have been the subject of widespread reporting in mainstream media.
Dr Chandran has alleged that a key reason why potential members are not willing to join the board is out of fear of bullying.
An external investigation has reportedly been undertaken by organisational risk management firm Centium, following bullying accusations raised by the RACP company secretary.
A separate Fair Work case was lodged by Dr Chandran last year and alleges that Professor Martin subjected her to workplace bullying.
“Nobody wants to come to the board the way it is,” Dr Chandran told TMR.
“People are talking to me, willing to come … [but] they go, ‘we’re not coming now’ because they [are afraid that they will] only be kicked out.”
