One of Australia's leading doctor groups has criticised Liberal MP Craig Kelly for "disseminating misinformation" about coronavirus.
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) hit out at Mr Kelly for appearing on a podcast hosted by conspiracy theorist and former TV chef Pete Evans.
Mr Evans called Mr Kelly a "beautiful and beyond courageous man" in a 90-minute interview on the podcast.
READ MORE: Craig Kelly's views 'not scientifically based', says Chief Medical Officer
RACGP President Dr Karen Price said it was unacceptable the politician was podcasting with "a disgraced former celebrity chef".
"We are still in the middle of a pandemic that is leaving many people feeling understandably anxious and exhausted," she said.
"Those like Pete Evans are preying on that anxiety to peddle false information and he should not be enabled by anyone, especially a federal Member of Parliament."
The RACGP noted Mr Kelly had also likened compulsory mask wearing in schools to "child abuse".
But speaking to nine.com.au, Mr Kelly "categorically denied spreading misinformation".
"It's a disgraceful political beat-up from the opposition that has nothing to add to the political environment than to slander and smear," he said.
Dr Price said Australians should listen to the medical experts on COVID-19.
"I understand Mr Kelly's argument that he is happy and willing to advance his point of view with any interviewer," she said.
"However, he must appreciate that Pete Evans is using these platforms to spread alarming misinformation, including content linked to the QAnon conspiracy theory and COVID-19 denialist claims."
Mr Kelly defended appearing on Evans' podcast, describing the former celebrity chef as a "victim of cancel culture".
"If we were to have a society where we refused to discuss or talk to people who made a silly comment at one stage, what kind of society would we have?" he said.
"I seriously disagree that some things the ABC has said. But does that mean I don't speak to the ABC?
"I could go through that things that have been put to air on the ABC, and to defeat those ideas is not to censor them but to bring them out to public and show that they are wrong.
"The idea that we cancel this person from society, that is a stain on our democracy."
Mr Kelly, who represents the electorate of Hughes in Sydney's south, has no medical background.
When pressed on Mr Kelly's behaviour, Prime Minister Scott Morrison told the National Press Club yesterday: "We've been very clear to point out where you get your information from.
"You don't get it from Facebook. You get it from official government websites.
"(Mr Kelly's) not my doctor and he's not yours. But he does a great job in Hughes."
Labor's communications spokesman Tim Watts said Mr Kelly's beliefs were not something "that should be laughed off".
"Craig Kelly's Facebook page was shared 10 times more than the Commonwealth Department of Health Facebook page since the start of this pandemic," Mr Watts said.
"This is something that is having a real impact in the community."
Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese was just as scathing.
"Craig Kelly's actions are dangerous," Mr Albanese said.
"And what worries me isn't just that his comments are dangerous, that they endanger people's health, that those mixed messages will undermine our response to COVID."
Evans, who formerly appeared on Channel Seven's My Kitchen Rules, also has no medical training.
Evans has a long history of opposing vaccinations, as well as fluoridated water, dairy products and sunscreen.
Dr Price said Australians should be seeking medical advice from their local GP, and not from social media.
"My advice to all Australians is straightforward but more vital than ever – when it comes to the COVID-19 virus and the vaccine please heed expert health advice, including from your GP," she said.
"Avoid pseudo-scientific 'cures' and baseless conspiracy theories on social media platforms and elsewhere."
Last year Evans was fined $25,200 by the Therapeutic Goods Administration for claiming a $15,000 light machine could be used against coronavirus.
In November his products were taken from shelves at Coles, Woolworths, Target and Kmart after he shared a cartoon bearing a neo-Nazi symbol.
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