The suspension power under s 156 of the National Law contains no implied temporal limitation and no requirement for immediate referral to VCAT. However, the Board is under an implied statutory duty to decide whether to refer a practitioner's conduct under s 193(1)(a) within an objectively reasonable time, enforceable by mandamus. The observations in Kozanoglu about timeliness of referral are obiter dicta, not binding constraints on the suspension power. Where the Board suspends a practitioner's registration (as opposed to imposing conditions), it is expected to proceed with investigation and referral with expedition.
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