Professional Bodies Policing Thought, Not Just Standards

Stephen Franks, chairman of the Free Speech Union, discusses how professional regulatory bodies in New Zealand are increasingly overstepping their original purpose of protecting consumers. He warns that vague disciplinary powers, such as "bringing the profession into disrepute", are being used by ideologically zealous members to police private opinions and enforce groupthink rather than genuine misconduct.

Franks highlights medicine as the area of greatest concern, citing his own experience writing to doctors about liability risks around gender-affirming care for minors, and notes similar overreach against real estate agents, architects and lawyers who hold dissenting views on topics like the Treaty of Waitangi. The Free Speech Union is backing three court cases and promoting a Canadian-style bill to confine disciplinary powers strictly to client protection ([www.fsu.nz](https://www.fsu.nz), licensedtospeak.nz).

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