Former Liberal candidate cautioned over LGBTQIA+ comments - ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Thomas Brough has had his case settled before the State Administrative Tribunal. (ABC Great Southern: Andrew Chounding)

Albany councillor and former WA Liberal candidate Thomas Brough was cautioned in the State Administrative Tribunal on Thursday for comments he made about the LGBTQIA+ community in 2024.

The emergency doctor said the plus included "minor attracted persons", a euphemism for paedophiles, sparking complaints to the Australian Health Pracitioner Regulation Agency and Local Government Standards Panel.

The ABC understands a link to the State Administrative Tribunal's findings will appear on Dr Brough's entry in the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency's register of practitioners.

An Albany councillor and former Liberal candidate has been cautioned by the State Administrative Tribunal over his comments falsely linking the LGBTQIA+ community with paedophiles.

Thomas Brough, who is an emergency doctor at the Albany Health Campus, was referred to the SAT last year by the Medical Board of Australia after complaints to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.

In a settlement proceeding on Thursday, both parties agreed Dr Brough's comments constituted unprofessional conduct.

It comes two months after the tribunal dropped an order from the Local Government Standards Panel for Dr Brough to complete inclusivity training, finding the required course did not exist. 

Thomas Brough is an emergency department doctor at the Albany Health Campus. (ABC Great Southern: Kyle Pauletto)

The decisions put an end to a long-running saga that began with a discussion of the city's pride festival at a council meeting in 2024.

"Within the coalition of the LGBTQIA+, I just want to hone in on the plus," Dr Brough said.

"That includes a group of people who identify as minor attracted persons."

He later doubled down on his comments while speaking to local media, sparking outrage from Albany Pride organisers, who made official complaints. 

During his campaign for the WA state election a few months later, he issued a statement apologising for "any hurt that has been caused".

Albany Pride is a major LGBTQIA+ organisation in the Great Southern region. (ABC Great Southern: Jamie Thannoo)

The City of Albany engaged an independent assessor in response to complaints around the matter, who found Dr Brough's comments to be in breach of the local government code of conduct.

Under a directive from the Local Government Standards Panel, Dr Brough was asked to apologise and undertake inclusivity training provided by the Australian Human Rights Commission.

Thomas Brough has been a city councillor since 2021. (ABC Great Southern: Andrew Chounding)

Dr Brough successfully appealed that decision on the basis the required training did not exist, with SAT member Naomi Eeagling setting aside that part of the order on July 31.

In 2025, WA Liberal leader Libby Mettam distanced herself from Dr Brough after he made anti-abortion comments during a press conference on hospital funding. 

When asked if WA's abortion laws should be reviewed, Dr Brough replied "yes" before saying: "Babies born alive should not be left to die."

Thomas Brough ran as the Liberal candidate for Albany at the 2025 state election. (ABC News: Samantha Goerling)

In a statement sent to media after the press conference, Ms Mettam said a review of the state's abortion laws was not on the party's agenda.

Dr Brough's comments sparked robust debate in parliament, with Premier Roger Cook declaring there was "something sinister and rotten going on" in the Liberal Party.

Dr Brough ran for the Liberal Party for the seat of Albany at the 2025 state election, but lost to the Nationals' Scott Leary, trailing narrowly on first preferences.

The ABC understands a link to the State Administrative Tribunal's decision will appear on Dr Brough's entry in the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency's register of practitioners.