Queensland Government Bulletin - In the media, reports, cases and legislation

• Published date: 18 September 2021
• Subject Matter: Government, Public Sector, Constitutional & Administrative Law
• Law Firm: Holding Redlich
• Author: Mr Paul Venus and Suzy Cairney

In the media

Privacy concerns cast shadow over vaccination passports
The lack of a clear blueprint for vaccination 'passports' that addresses public concerns around safety and security risks is undermining the implementation of vaccine mandates, warns the Australia Institute's Centre for Responsible Technology (10 September 2021). More...

Appointment of additional judges associated with small increases in NSW District Court finalisations
A new BOSCAR study has found that the appointment of seven new District Court judges significantly increased court finalisations but only in some locations (09 October 2021). More...

New laws set to tackle religious discrimination
The NSW Government will introduce a bill in Parliament to amend the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW), adding religion to existing protected grounds of disability, sex, race, age, marital or domestic status, homosexuality, transgender status and carer's responsibilities. These reforms will see NSW join other states and territories in making religious discrimination unlawful (07 September 2021). More...

In practice and courts

APS pay rates in line for a change
The Australian Public Service Commission has issued a Circular setting out changes to APS pay rates to apply between 1 September this year and 31 August 2022. The full Circular 2021/04 can be accessed on the APSC website here.

Select Committee on Foreign Interference through Social Media
Select Committee on Foreign Interference through Social Media to inquire into and report on the risk posed to Australia's democracy by foreign interference through social media. The committee is to present its final report on or before the second sitting day of May 2022 The closing date for submissions is 31 October 2021. More...

Queensland

Public Consultation: QLS Professional Standards (Limitation of Liability) Scheme 2022-2027
The Society has applied to the Professional Standards Council of Queensland for approval of a new Professional Standards Scheme to commence on 1 July 2022 and as part of the process of that approval the Scheme is now out for Public Consultation. More...

Court appointments - 03 September 2021
Two Queen's Counsel with more than 50 years' combined legal experience are set to join the Bench of Queensland's Supreme Court. More...

Amended PD 4 of 2020 - Case Flow Management - Civil Jurisdiction
The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Queensland released an amended Practice Direction 4 of 2020, Case flow management – civil jurisdiction. The practice direction repeals and replaces Practice Direction 4 of 2002 and Practice Direction 17 of 2012. Note: There was a further update to this PD on 8 September 2021.

QCAT updates minor civil dispute forms
QCAT has updated a number of its minor civil dispute forms with the aim of making them easier to understand and complete. The updated forms are designed to be built into a new civil case management system being developed by the Department of Justice and Attorney-General that will allow electronic case filing across QCAT and Magistrates Courts (03 September 2021). More...

OIC Qld decisions
03 September 2021 - Q53 and Queensland Building and Construction Commission [2021] QICmr 45 (2 September 2021)
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW - RIGHT TO INFORMATION -REFUSAL OF ACCESS - CONTRARY TO THE PUBLICINTEREST - personal information of other individuals -safeguarding personal information and the right to privacy of other individuals - whether disclosure would, on balance, be contrary to the public interest - whether access may be refused under section 67(1) of the Information Privacy Act2009 (Qld) and section 47(3)(b) of the Right to Information Act 2009 (Qld).

Cases

XV' and Services Australia (Freedom of information) [2021] AICmr 43
Freedom of Information — whether reasonable steps taken to find documents — (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 s 24A.

'XM' and Australian Financial Security Authority (No 2) (Freedom of information) [2021] AICmr 41
Freedom of Information — whether reasonable steps taken to find documents — (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 s 24A

Fairfax Media Publications Pty Ltd v Voller; Nationwide News Pty Limited v Voller; Australian News Channel Pty Ltd v Voller [2021] HCA 27
Appeal dismissed with costs.
Defamation – Publication – where appellants were media companies – where each appellant created, operated and maintained public Facebook page – where each appellant created posts on Facebook page hyperlinking to news stories referring to respondent – where third-party Facebook users left "comments" on appellants' posts – where comments alleged to be defamatory of respondent – whether appellants "publishers" of comments – whether intention to communicate defamatory matter necessary for appellants to be publishers.

Athavle v...