Dear Friends of Barbara O’Neill
It is with a heavy heart that we write to inform you that the legal case we have all been sweating on has not ruled in Barbara’s favour.
A statement was released by the Health Care Complaints Commissioner on September 24, 2019 which reads:
Mrs O’Neill is permanently prohibited from providing any health services, as defined in s4 of the Health Care Complaints Act 1993 (the Act), whether in a paid or voluntary capacity. Health services includes “health education services” under s.4 of the Act and clause 1(g) of the Code of Conduct.
Michael, Barbara’s husband has released a video with an update on Barbara’s case: https://www.facebook.com/michael.oneill.9404/videos/2464872780260288/
Personal Message from Barbara O’Neill to petition signers
I thank you all for the wonderful love and support that you have given through this challenging time. It looks a bit dark now, but the Great God of the Universe will not let His wonderful health truth to be eliminated, regardless of how men and women may try. He is the Creator of our bodies, and it is His desire that we all prosper and be in good health.
I am well and currently out of Australia staying with my daughter and grandchildren where I expect to be based for some time. It has been a privilege to have been working in this great area of natural health and healing. It is a wonderful work, and I have no regrets.
Lots of love … Barbara
The full statement by the HCCC against Barbara can be found here:
Below is Barbara’s response to Tony Kofkin, decision maker from the HCCC, September 22, 2019.
Re: Submission on Statement of Decision for Complaints by Ms Mandy-Lee Noble, Ms Joanne Benhamu & Anonymous Vaccination Advocacy Group Against Barbara O’Neill
I have read the 17 page Decision, opinion and draft ruling against me. My response is as follows.
The complaints by Ms Mandy-Lee Noble, Ms Joanne Benhamu & Anonymous Vaccine Advocacy Group are not ‘made by concerned members of the public’ as you state in 1.2, but by political opponents in an age-old war of ideologies regarding health philosophies.
The complaints were not made in the best interest of the general public, and should have been discontinued by the Commission as they fall under Part 2, Division 4, 27 (1)(a) ‘the complaint (or part) is frivolous, vexatious or not made in good faith,’. These complaints are definitely vexatious, and not made in good faith.
While I accept that many of my teachings are not supported by ‘mainstream medicine’, I reject the claim that they are not evidence based.
It is obvious that the HCCC has decided that all health practices that do not fit the current ‘modern’ thinking that you describe as ‘mainstream’ are incorrect. I am part of a very differing health philosophy, and therefore we are naturally in disagreement. What gives you the Right to arbitrate in a war of ideologies? What gives you the Right to deny Australians of information they choose to have? Why do you have a problem with a message that encourages people to think for themselves and to investigate the different options when a medical problem arises?
Your evidence has not raised or proved any area that I have hurt, or am likely to hurt.
You have dealt with issues that you consider important such as the fact that I had not read or displayed the Code of Conduct, that I have taken phone consultations, gave advice that differed from ‘mainstream medicine’, but you have been dismissive of the vast amount of people helped, and the absence of any legitimate complaints other than the 3 vexatious and political complaints.
To respond in detail to many of the items would be futile, as you have made a decision with a bias towards the rules of the Act, and have shown no regard or intention to consider the results. You have determined that there is a risk, not because there is tangible evidence of risk, but you are convinced that the ‘mainstream’ ideology is the correct position, regardless of the 100,000’s Australians who do not hold that view. I do understand the political nature of your Office, the power you have and that you were always going to rule in favour of the majority ‘mainstream’ position.
On two points that are in the allegations, and that I agreed to make a change, you still cannot accept that and have ignored my concessions, and then impugned my motives, even to the point of being unhappy with my thought processes. Since when, and what regulation do I break that I hold a belief that is not to your liking.
I said I would not teach that raw goats’ milk is an alternative for mothers not able to breastfeed their infants.
I said I would not say that no child has died from Strep B.
You have not accepted these concessions from me, and it appears you do not want to accept them, as it weakens your case against me.
You charge me with a breach of Clause 7(1) of the Code of Conduct that requires that a health practitioner must not attempt to dissuade clients from seeking or continuing with treatment by a registered medical practitioner. If I am guilty of this, then so is every health practitioner that is consulted for a second opinion that differs from a previous diagnosis from another registered medical practitioner. That covers about every health and medical practitioner in the country.
The basis for my beliefs and teaching on health and healing stem from the writings of Ellen G White.
Ellen White was a prolific writer on mainly religious and health subjects from about 1846 to 1917. She was the inspiration for a Movement that brought the world Health Retreats (or Sanitariums), vegetarianism, medical missionaries and the teaching of the 8 Laws of Health in health maintenance and recovery. Under her inspiration, men like John & Will Kellogg launched a vegetarian health food industry that is still with us today.
Using simple dietary and lifestyle principles, that have been used for centuries, I and many others, have found them to be safe, non-invasive and yet effective tools at encouraging a healing response in the body.
Ellen White taught that hygiene was vitally important to produce good health, and was also opposed to drug medication in healing the sick.
Ellen White’s suggestions make sense, are founded in the Bible, and are the best healing tools I have found, and this is what I teach. There are millions of people worldwide that hold her as an inspired writer, as I do, and I am regarded by them as accurately conveying her message on health.
With regard to the vaccine issue. What can I say? It is now government policy to promote vaccination, and the mainstream press are 100% on board with a propaganda campaign that would make Goebbels proud. Yet, at every level of the industry there are whistle-blowers crying foul. There are tens of thousands of Australians claiming serious damage and death to their children as a result of their vaccination.
I am writing this response from an overseas country that is classified as a developing country. I am in contact with many people here from the locals, to fellow Australians working here in the health and education areas. They are telling me that in the poorer section of society, local children have no autism and that mental issues are extremely rare, as they do not vaccinate (cannot afford to). Yet the wealthier section of their society is seeing autism and these mental issues surface. Apparently, it is a sign of prestige to vaccinate your children when you become wealthy. I travel extensively and the contrast between Australian vaccinated children and these non-vaccinated children cannot be ignored, no matter how much the HCCC and ‘mainstream’ would like it to be ignored.
I found your questioning to have been shallow, narrow, biased and discriminatory. You have never sought to know why I teach what I do, and while your findings will satisfy the atheistic agenda of those that lodged them, you have stirred up a hornets nest of discontent from many people who rightly believe it is their religious and legal right to hear and practice what they believe is a better way to a healthy life.
You have theorised about what you believe is potential risk or harm, but have not shown any actual harm, but have worked hard to produce the theory of risk. A most weak effort, that hardly warrants a life ban.
I am not ‘mainsteam’, and have never claimed to be. There are hundreds of thousands of Australians that are not ‘mainstream’ in their health beliefs and practices. Your office has decided to silence them and act as eradicators of non ‘mainsteam’ health philosophies, but you are not right morally or logically to take this position. I seriously doubt that you would be legally correct as well when this is tested in the Courts.
What is the actual result of my teaching? There are untold people and their families who are living healthier, and longer lives. They now use the ‘mainstream’ medical system less than the average citizen which is reducing the huge financial burden ‘mainstream’ medical care has become on the Australian taxpayer.
I do not pose a risk to the health or safety of members of the public. I never have, and you have not even closely proved that statement. You have not produced ONE SINGLE INSTANCE of harm to any person ever from my advice; only your theorising that is seriously deficient in common sense and facts.
Yours sincerely,
Barbara O’Neill
A closing message from the Friends of Barbara O’Neill
We continue to stand beside Barbara and show our love and support of her in the face of such terrible injustice. Barbara is not the first casualty, nor will she be the last in the rising tide of resistance against natural medicine by a government that is manipulated by Pharmaceutical companies. Natural health is a threat to their system of disease management. But I see a day coming when the burden of disease becomes so overwhelming, that the government will again see the need to empower the people to take charge of their own health.
While Barbara’s voice has been silenced for now in Australia, there are 36,000 of us, and millions more around the world who can continue to share the principles of a healthy lifestyle with our colleagues, neighbours and friends and do our part to make the world a healthier and happier place.
We wish you well as you take up the challenge (=
Friends of Barbara O’Neill