A unregistered chiropractor banned for encouraging cancer patients to rely on unproven remedies has launched a legal bid to resume practice in Queensland.
The state's health ombudsman in August prohibited George Zaphir from providing any health service after finding his conduct posed a serious danger to public health and safety.
But Mr Zaphir has now applied for a review of the interim order in the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
In documents lodged with the tribunal, the Brisbane-based therapist said he had been denied natural justice and had legal rights to perform his work unhindered.
He argued the prohibition order was not properly made and should be reversed.
"The ombudsman is placing his decision on 'hear-say'," he wrote.
"I believe his actions unlawful and prejudicial. He seems to believe he can prevent me working as a physical soft tissue therapist also, even though the topic in contention is based on naturopathic."
In outlining his reasons for the ban, ombudsman Leon Atkinson-MacEwen said he was satisfied Mr Zaphir's conduct posed a serious risk to the public.
"Your conduct encourages consumers faced with life threatening illnesses to rely on untested, unproven and potentially harmful remedies which you assure them can cure cancer, for your own economic gain," he said.
"By promoting your unconventional remedies as a legitimate alternative to conventional medicine treatment ... you are seriously endangering the health and wellbeing of the public."
Mr Atkinson-MacEwen said the interim order would act as a "protective measure" until the outcome of his investigation was known.
Mr Zaphir's application has been listed for conference next month.
