Key Points:
Police were called to the April 22 EGM at the Royal Australasian College of Physicians before proceedings began.
Members voted to remove President Jennifer Martin in a narrow and disputed result.
President-elect Sharmila Chandran and the board now make competing leadership claims.
The college faces a deep governance crisis after months of internal conflict and multiple EGMs.
Regulators including the ACNC and Australian Medical Council are reviewing the situation.
A dramatic leadership showdown at the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) escalated into a full-blown governance crisis on April 22, 2026, when police were called to an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) that ultimately led to a disputed vote to remove President Professor Jennifer Martin.
The virtual and in-person meeting, held at the college’s Sydney headquarters, descended into chaos following a confrontation between Martin and President-elect Dr. Sharmila Chandran, exposing deep fractures within one of Australasia’s most influential medical institutions.
Tensions peaked before the EGM officially began, when New South Wales Police were called to the venue around 10:30–11:00 am following reports of a dispute between individuals linked to the board meeting.
According to multiple accounts:
Police were called by Dr. Chandran’s husband amid escalating tensions
Officers spoke with attendees and determined no crime had been committed
No arrests were made, and police left without further action
The confrontation stemmed from a dispute over who had the authority to chair the meeting, with both Martin and Chandran asserting control.
At the centre of the crisis is a deepening leadership conflict between Professor Jennifer Martin, the current president and board chair, and Dr. Sharmila Chandran, the president-elect set to assume office in May 2026.
The dispute has been building for months, driven largely by disagreements over proposed governance reforms. A key flashpoint was a proposal to separate the roles of president and board chair. Chandran supported the move as a step toward stronger institutional governance, while Martin opposed it, arguing it could destabilize leadership continuity.
Tensions came to a head during the extraordinary general meeting (EGM), where the breakdown in protocol became highly visible.
Martin initially attempted to open proceedings in her capacity as chair. However, she was interrupted by Chandran, who challenged her authority to preside. In a dramatic escalation, Chandran then relocated to a separate room and continued the meeting independently, excluding several board members and the CEO.
Despite being present, Martin was not permitted to address members.
These events have since become central to allegations that the EGM was conducted improperly, raising serious questions about governance, due process, and institutional control within the organization.
Despite the disruption, voting proceeded among RACP members.
Key figures from the April 22 vote:
Total voters: 4,260
Votes to remove Martin: 2,179 (54.5%)
Votes against: 1,819 (45.5%)
The motion to remove Martin passed by a narrow majority, marking an unprecedented moment in the college’s history.
However, within hours, the RACP board issued a statement declaring:
The vote was not properly scrutinized
The meeting breached by-laws and governance procedures
The outcome may be invalid
The board maintained that “business as usual” continued and Martin remained chair, creating immediate confusion over leadership.
Following the vote, Dr. Sharmila Chandran asserted that she was the legitimate president and chair of the college, while the existing board rejected this claim and continued to back Professor Jennifer Martin.
This standoff effectively created two competing leadership claims, deepening what many observers described as a “constitutional crisis.” The situation has since been further complicated by multiple director resignations that have reduced the board to just four members, a stream of conflicting official communications sent to members, and ongoing disputes over who is legally authorised to act on behalf of the college.
The April 22 EGM was not an isolated event but the culmination of months of escalating internal conflict.
Key background developments include:
At least five EGMs held within six months, costing an estimated $640,000
Repeated attempts to remove both Martin and Chandran from leadership roles
Allegations of bullying, racism, and workplace misconduct raised within the organization
Growing frustration among members over lack of transparency and governance failures
Doctors have described the situation as a “trainwreck,” “royal mess,” and “absolute chaos,” reflecting widespread dissatisfaction within the profession.
The fallout from the EGM has drawn scrutiny from multiple regulators. The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission has intervened in the governance dispute, while the Australian Medical Council has raised concerns about governance standards.
In addition, complaints have been lodged with SafeWork NSW and other authorities. Regulators are now examining the validity of the EGM vote, potential breaches of corporate governance laws, and signs of broader organizational dysfunction.
The crisis has significant implications for RACP’s over 32,000 members across 33 specialties, particularly trainees who depend on the college for accreditation.
Concerns raised include:
High annual fees for trainees, often thousands of dollars per year
Financial burden of exams and training requirements
Lack of alternative accreditation pathways
Many junior doctors have expressed frustration at paying substantial fees to an organization now mired in internal conflict.
