Massage Therapists

The Hon. J.S. LEE (15:13): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question to the Attorney-General about regulations for massage therapists.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.S. LEE: A report by ABC News on 25 January 2025 found that the massage therapy industry could be a breeding ground for predators due to a lack of regulation. Massage therapy is currently a self-regulated industry and, unlike other health professionals such as doctors and dentists, massage therapists are not regulated by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.

Following the recent case of Jason Hagon, an Adelaide massage therapist who pleaded guilty to 11 counts of indecent assault in June last year, ABC News has also identified another massage therapist who is currently facing allegations of sexual offences in South Australia, but has not been banned from practising. Because of the lack of regulation and the high number of massage therapists who have been allowed to continue practising even when facing allegations of sexual offences, victims and industry bodies have called for better regulation. The Association of Massage Therapy has indicated that it wants:

…more stringent and coherent regulatory action…to better protect the public from [deviant] practitioners.

My questions to the minister are:

1. What does the government propose to do to address the massage therapy industry lack of regulatory oversight, which is required from other health practitioners?

2. Will the Attorney-General commit to new measures about developing more stringent and coherent regulations to better protect the public?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, Special Minister of State) (15:15): I want to thank the member for her question. It is a very good question, and I acknowledge her longstanding interest in protecting the public of South Australia. The responsibility for regulation in terms of occupations generally lies with Consumer and Business Affairs, which is the responsibility of my colleague Minister Andrea Michaels. The regulation of health treatments generally lies largely with the Minister for Health. I am happy to take that on notice and get some information from my colleague in another place so that I can bring the honourable member a comprehensive answer.