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[2023] ACAT 18
ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal
2023-03-22
Original judgment source is linked above.
(a) Mr Sunol remove the offending posts (removal of posts order); > > (b) Mr Sunol remove other posts "of a similar nature" (removal of similar posts order); > > (c) Mr Sunol refrain from making any further public statements on any platform of "similar content" (refrain from further similar posts order); > > (d) Mr Sunol record a video advising that he has been found in breach of anti‑vilification legislation (statement of breach order), apologise for his conduct (statement of apology order; > > (e) Mr Sunol post this video to all social media accounts he controls and leave it there on a permanent basis; > > (f) any new social media account created by Mr Sunol must post a link to the video; and > > (g) Mr Sunol make payment of $2,500 for each publication mentioning Mr Kerslake (compensation order).[12]
Further material from Mr Sunol and replies by Mr Kerslake
(2) The ACAT must make 1 or more of the following orders:
(a) that the person complained about not repeat or continue the unlawful act;
(b) that the person complained about perform a stated reasonable act to redress any loss or damage suffered by a person because of the unlawful act;
(c) unless the complaint has been dealt with as a representative complaint - that the person complained about pay to a person a stated amount by way of compensation for any loss or damage suffered by the person because of the unlawful act.
Orders that respondent not repeat or continue the vilification (section 53E(2)(a))
Applicant unsuccessful in relation to many posts
Conclusion on remedy that respondent not repeat or continue the vilification
Where applicant not specifically referred to in posts
237 The task of assessing damages for non-economic loss in a case of unlawful discrimination is notoriously difficult. This case is no exception. ...
239 Mr Trad said that he couldn't believe that "public discourse had descended to such a level of calling human beings vermin ... rapists and pillagers ... that they [were] a security problem in the making". He claims that he "felt terrible" on hearing the Schedule A broadcast. We accept that claim. ...
240 There is no evidence that Mr Trad required medical treatment or counselling as a result of hearing or learning of the offending broadcasts and nor is this asserted. It is apparent from his evidence that he is a reasonably resilient character. Nonetheless we accept his claim that he was distressed by the offending material and anxious for the ramifications it might have for members of his family and community.
241 In our view having regard to all circumstances the sum of $10,000 is an appropriate amount for damages.
Whether the Tribunal erred in law by awarding Mr Trad damages (Ground 15)
"I was distraught and overwhelmed by the fact that having been born here and being part of the Australian community my boys were referred to as hating Australia, hating a country and referred to as rapists, pillagers and plunderers and likened to rodents."
EXCLUSIVE: Tribunal hearing on jurisdiction [Kerslake ACT v Sunol NSW] 2 Nov 2020, ACAT Canberra. Suppression orders. ACT Human Rights Commission & ACAT seek nationwide social media jurisdiction. Conspiracy. LGBT case law by stealth. @NicBerko @ACLobby @LyleShelton @Real Mark Latham
This case could turn out to be quite big but I can not give in as this could go to set a very dangerous legal precedent; It is not only my enemy but also the enemy of All Christian and conservative family people world wide I am fighting: The LGBT-SJW political activist from the homosexual rights lobby I am fighting Not the Average homosexual person or family member.
(a) if the tribunal decides an application in favour of the applicant, the tribunal may order the other party to pay the applicant some fees; > > (b) if the tribunal considers that a party to an application caused unreasonable delay or obstruction; or > > (c) if a party to the application contravenes an order of the tribunal.
(a) by the applicant to the respondent on an indemnity basis; > > (b) in the alternative costs be paid by the applicant to the respondent on an ordinary basis; or > > (c) in the alternative that the applicant be awarded 11% of costs in the cause (which I assume means 11% of the applicant's costs), and the respondent 89% of the costs in the cause (which I assume means of the respondent's costs), these figures flowing it seems from the respondents submissions set out at paragraph [41] above.
[2] In this reasons, a reference to 'ACAT' or 'tribunal' refers to the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal generally, whereas 'Tribunal' refers to the members who heard the application
[3] Applicant's remedies submissions, attachment B
[4] See in particular Burns v Sunol [2012] NSWADT 246 and Burns v Sunol (No 2) [2012] NSWADT 247
[6] First decision at [363] and [364]
[9] Respondent's submissions dated 2 October 2020; Respondent's list of questions for referral dated 16 February 2021; Respondent's submissions dated 21 June 2021 at [25]-[32]
[12] Exhibit A1; see also exhibit R1, attachment A
[15] Applicant's remedies submission at [22]
[16] Applicant's remedies submissions at [10]
[17] Applicant's remedies submission, attachment A
[18] Applicant's remedies submission, attachment B
[19] Applicant's remedies submission at [15]
[21] Applicant's remedies submissions at [20]
[22] Applicant's remedies submissions at [3]
[23] Applicant's remedies submissions at [4]-[6]
[24] Respondent's third remedies submissions at [14]-[45]
[26] Respondent's third remedies submissions at [64]-[116], [129]-[139]
[27] Respondent's third remedies submission at [117]-[128]
[28] Respondent's third remedies submission at [140]-[160]
[30] Section 2 and Dictionary of the Discrimination Act
[32] Respondent's second remedies submissions at [5]-[7]
[33] Respondent's second remedies submissions at [8]-[25]
[35] See for example Coutts v Walls [2019] ACAT 66
[37] Respondent's second remedies submission at [15(3)]
[39] Respondent's second remedies submission at [26]-[36]
[40] Respondent's second remedies submission at [37]-[48]
[42] See for example Burns v Sunol [2012] NSWADT 246; Burns v Sunol (No.2) [2012] NSWADT 247
[43] Respondent's second remedies submission at [38]-[43]
[44] Respondent's second remedies submission at [48]
[45] Respondent's third remedies submission at [62]-[78]
[46] Rep v Clinch [2021] ACAT 106 at [225]- [229]
[47] Respondent's third remedies submission at [80]-[83]
[51] Respondent's second remedies submission at [49]-[69]
[53] Applicant's remedies submission at [12]-[16]; original decision at [172], [213], [228], [276], [350]
[54] Burns v Sunol [2012] NSWADT 246; Burns v Sunol (No.2) [2012] NSWADT 247
[56] [2001] FCA 1150, [106]; Australian Human Rights Commission, Federal Discrimination Law, (online), [7.3] and the cases cited there
[58] See generally Rep v Clinch [2021] ACAT 106 at [203]- [218]
[59] Legislation Act 2001, sections 126(4) and 132(1)
[60] Qantas Airways Ltd v Gama [2008] FCAFC 69 at [94] (French and Jacobson JJ)
[61] LexisNexis, Halsbury's Laws of Australia, (online) Defamation, '5 Remedies' [145-2630], [145‑2655], [145-2640] by David Rolph; Civil Law (Wrongs) Act 2002 section 139E; Uren v John Fairfax & Sons Pty Ltd [1966] HCA 40
[62] Australian Human Rights Commission, Federal Discrimination Law (online) at [7.2.3]; See for example Burns v Sunol [2012] NSWADT 246; Burns v Sunol (No.2) [2012] NSWADT 247; see also Queensland Human Rights Commission, 'Vilification case studies' (online)
[63] Exhibit A9 at [142]-[149]; and exhibit A12 at [335]-[338]
[64] See for example first decision at [193] and [297]
[65] See for example first decision at [363] and [406]
[67] Jones and Harbour Radio Pty Limited v Trad (EOD) [2011] NSWADTAP 19
[68] _Jones v Tr_ad [2013] NSWCA 133
[73] Transcript of proceedings, 17 March 2021, pages 16-17; see also first decision at [20]-[21]
[76] Affidavit of Rodney Swift affirmed 26 September 2022, page 6, as adjusted to remove lost wages
[77] Affidavit of Robert Balzola sworn 11 September 2022, annexure C; respondent's submissions on subpoena costs at [99]
[78] Respondent's submissions on subpoena costs at [36], [38]
[79] Respondent's submissions on subpoena costs at [96]-[105]
[80] Respondent's submissions on subpoena costs at [109], [110]
KERSLAKE
SUNOL
Burns v Sunol [2012] NSWADT 246
Burns v Sunol (No 2) [2012] NSWADT 247
Burns v Sunol [2018] NSWCATAD 78
Citta Hobart v Cawthorn [2022] HCA 16
Eatock v Bolt [2011] FCA 1180
Jones v Toben [2001] FCA 1150
Jones and Harbour Radio Pty Limited v Trad (EOD) [2011] NSWADTAP 19
Kerslake v Sunol [2022] ACAT 40
Jones v Trad [2013] NSWCA 389
Qantas Airways Ltd v Gama [2008] FCAFC 69
Rep v Clinch [2021] ACAT 106
Trad v Jones (No.3) [2009] NSWADT 318
Uren v John Fairfax & Sons Pty Ltd [1966] HCA 40