After our last update, Barbara O'Neill submitted a brilliant 10 page defense to the HCCC in support of natural remedies and the safety of her treatments and advice, but in actions that are reminiscent of the purges of the Cultural Revolution, the Health Care Complaints Commissioner have placed an additional 8 week prohibition order on Barbara while they further investigate the allegations of the 2 people who have sent in a complaint about Barbara. These are people that she has never treated or had anything to do with. As mentioned before, at least one of the people lodging the complaints are part of the Australian Skeptics Association and the Friends of Science in Medicine, who have a clear bias against Natural Therapies and a very differing ideology about compulsory medication (especially vaccinations) in Australia, so we are 100% convinced that this is a POLITICAL action because Michael and Barbara O'Neill dare to speak out with regard to human rights and power to CHOOSE.
We are sensing a strong undercurrent against the freedom to choose natural therapies in Australia. We note that there has been some mud throw mud in the face of natural therapies on a national scale in the news of late. In relation to the Department of Health's Review of the Australian Government Rebate on Private Health Insurance for Natural Therapies, the former Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer has made a media announcement that "there is no clear evidence demonstrating the efficacy of many natural therapies". This has resulted in recent government action to remove coverage from private health insurance subsidies from a range of natural therapies, including Naturopathy. The former officer says that "removing coverage for listed natural therapies will ensure taxpayer funds are expended appropriately and not directed to therapies lacking evidence". This is evil! And it stinks of bias and political agenda.
Thankfully, Australians are voting with their feet, with a very high utilisation of complementary medicine in Australia, demonstrating that it is considered by many to be a legitimate and important component of healthcare. The fact that natural therapies greatly reduce the medical burden of disease - which is a apparently a government priority - makes us wonder if the government is cutting off their nose to spite their face. Or maybe it is just an action to appease the under current from the big Pharmaceutical Companies, the Friends of Science in Medicine, and the Australian Skeptics Association and other such political organisations who are pushing for it? Here is an excellent article that questions whether science or politics is REALLY the basis behind these actions.
Barbara O'Neill is now caught up in the political push against natural remedies and freedom of speech, and the withholding of her rights to speak and practice based only on allegations from someone with a political gripe is COMPLETELY UNJUST and UNFAIR! As supporters of natural therapies, freedom of speech and human rights in Australia, let's show our support for Barbara by reposting the petition.
Michael and Barbara wish to thank YOU for signing the petition, and also those who have directly emailed the HCCC. You are making a difference!! You may direct further protest and stories of how Barbara and natural remedies have impacted your health for the better to:
totkofkin@hccc.nsw.gov.au;
LSaville@hccc.nsw.gov.au;
ARozdilsky@hccc.nsw.gov.au
Many people have asked how else they can support Barbara at this time. If you feel impressed to help, Barbara and Michael are beginning a legal defense, which you may contribute to here: https://www.gofundme.com/legal-defence-for-barbara-o039neill?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=fb_co_campmgmt_w&fbclid=IwAR2Xb9Qc27ISp4NNLkkuq89t8defzdU5l5BKib97-8R0PQ6Lr_waXCIemyg
Finally, here is the petition link to email to your contacts and/or repost it to your Facebook Page. You may want to add a few lines to state your reasons why people should sign it. Thank you so much!
Kind Regards,
Friends of Barbara O'Neill