Young, M.J. v. Quin, R.A. & Ors [1985] FCA 18

Federal Court of Australia|1985-02-12|Before: Beaumont JJ

Administrative Law - Judicial review - committal, proceedings.' /

in respect of alleged drug-related offences - attempt by o-" counsel for accused to cross-examine prosecution police witness as to circumstances surrounding alleged offences - claim that such cross-examination would not be in public interest because answers might reveal police methods of operation to the prejudice of future police activities and of relationships with overseas police forces - decision by

magistrate to allow cross-examination of deponent to affidavit ...- in support of claim for immunity - desirability of intervention

in committal proceedings - analysis of competing interests of public interest and proof of innocence - whether proposed

Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977, s.5 Alister v. The Queen (1984) 58 A.L.J.R. 97 = con.

BD. v. National Society for the Prevention of Cruelt to Children [1978] A.C. 171 ~ con.

MICHAEL JEROME YOUNG, THE SPECIAL MINISTER OF STATE v. ERIS ADRIAN QUIN, TINA WONG, DAVID YOUNG TE CHOW, CHARDEN RIRASATIK AND DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS

Bowen, C.J., Sheppard and Beaumont, JJ. 12 February 1985. Sydney.

IA ) } ) ) ) No. G376 of 1984 ON APPEAL from the Federal Court

Judges making order: Bowen, C.J., Sheppard and Beaumont, JJ.

Set aside the orders made herein by Wilcox, J. on 12 October 1984.

In lieu thereof declare that the first respondent is

bound to disallow cross-examination of Detective Chief Inspector

J.F. Wheatley on the affidavit sworn by him on 7 August 19984.

Order that the second and fourth respondents pay the costs of the appellant of this appeal and of the proceedings

before Wilcox, J.. Make no order for the costs of the first, third and fifth respondents.

Order that the cross-appeal be dismissed. Make no order

SX_THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY

Sydney REASONS FOR JUDGMENT BOWEN C.J.: This is an appeal by Michael Jerome Young, the

Court dismissing an application for review of a decision by Eris

Adrian Quin, Stipendiary Magistrate, the first respondent. Mr. Quin was hearing committal proceedings against Tina Wong, the

second respondent, David Young Te Chow, the third respondent and Charoen Rirasatik, the fourth respondent, in respect of alleged

heroin offences. The prosecutor was the Director of Public

Objection was taken by the Attorney-General for the Commonwealth, intervening by leave, to certain questions directed to a witness, Detective Sergeant Ward of the Australian Federal Police Drug Unit, on the ground of public interest immunity. This claim for imaunity was supported by an affidavit of Detective Chief Inspector Wheatley of the same Unit. It was sought to cross-examine Inspector Wheatley on this affidavit. Mr. Quin held that counsel for the defence were entitled as of right to cross-examine on the issue of the claim to immunity, and

he indicated that he would consider allowing certain

cross-examination of Detective Chief Inspector Wheatley on general issues arising in the committal proceedings, although the

latter would be by leave only, the defence having no right as such to cross-examine on the gener2l issues. It was in respect

of this decision that the application for review under the Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 was brought.

The learned primary Judge made orders which would permit some

cross-examination ona basis more limited than Mr. Quin had

indicated he would allow, but dismissed the application for

review which had sought orders preventing the cross-examination.

Further details of the course of the proceedings and of the facts are set forth in the judgment of the primary Judge. I shall not deal with them further except as may be required in

Where a claim of public interest immunity is made in respect of documents it is for the Court to decide whether or not to uphold the objection. The Court may ask for a clarification or an amplification of the objection to production, being careful not to impose requirements which could only be met by divulging the very matters to which the objection relates. The Court also has power to examine the documents privately. It has been said this power should be sparingly exercised. Indeed, the better view appears to be that the Court should not inspect the documents unless it decides that, on balance, the documents probably ought to be produced. (Conway v. Rimmer £1968] A.C. 910

at pp. 952, 953 and 971 and see Air Canada v. Secretary of State for Trade C1983] 2 W.L.R. 494).

These principles were applied by the High Court in Alister v. The Queen (1984) 58 A.L.J.R. 97. This case concerned a request for the production of Australian Security Intelligence Organization documents relating to an investigation made by a

Crown witness. The witness was an agent and informer. The

applicants for production challenged his evidence as @&

fabrication and a frame-up" claiming that if produced it would assist their case. Gibbs C.J., Murphy and Brennan JJ. were in favour of inspecting the documents in question. Wilson and Dawson JJ. would have refused to have inspection. In the result, the Court did inspect the documents. Gibbs C.J., Wilson, Brennan and Dawson JJ. then came to the conclusion after inspection that the documents would not have been relevant to the trial of the

appellants and_that they ought not to order their disclosure. Murphy J. dissented taking the view that the Court ought to have the assistance of the parties. Gibbs C.J., Wilson, Brennan and Dawson JJ. said at p. 124:-

"The disposal of any point in litigation, without the fullest argument on behalf of the parties, is

a course to which every court reacts adversely, however untenable the point in issue may first appear, and however unlikely it is that argument will assist it. The present case evokes the same reaction. But it is the inevitable result when

privilege is rightly claimed on grounds of national security."

It seems that the same principles relating to public interest immunity as apply in relation to documents also apply in relation to oral evidence (Sankey v. Whitlam (1978) 142 C.L.R. 1 at p.

38). There appears to be a dearth of reported cases where these

principles have in fact been applied by Courts to oral evidence

although, in Reqistrar of The Workers' Compensation Commission of

New South Wales v. FAI Insurance Limited £19833 3 N.S.W.L.R. 362, McGrath J. of the Workers' Compensation Commission did have to

consider this position. He held that the Court was not bound but was entitled to permit cross-examination on evidence offered to support a claim of public interest immunity in respect of oral

It was argued before us by counsel for the appellant that the Court not only was not bound to allow cross-examination upon an affidavit tendered in support of a claim to public interest immunity, but was not entitled to do so, as a general rule. Comparison was made with an affidavit of discovery of documents. In such an affidavit a claim for privilege may be made. The rule is that the oath of the deponent in the case of an affidavit of discovery has to be accepted. The Court will not permit cross-examination on such an affidavit and, generally, it will not permit countervailing evidence to be given, although there

are well recognized exceptions to this (Edmiston v. British

Transport Commission (£19563 1 Q.B. 191; Lyell v. Kennedy (1884)

27 Ch.D. 1 at p. 19; Ankin v. London & North East Railway Company C1930] 1 K.B. 527). In such cases the affidavit is regarded as

being required in order to pledge the oath of some person ina position to speak to the matters in the affidavit. It is not tendered as evidence in the lis. It was submitted that an affidavit making a claim of public interest immunity (taking the Place of the certificate of a Minister which was formerly. conclusive) was in the same way required in order to pledge the oath of someone able to speak to the facts; it was not tendered

as evidence in the lis, but for the purpose of enabling the Court

to rule on the claim for immunity. There is a good deal of force

Although before us counsel for the second respondent indicated that it was not now sought to cross-examine Detective Chief Inspector Wheatley on general issues arising in the

committal proceedings, the learned magistrate was of opinion that

he had a discretion to permit such cross-examination. But since the Chief Inspector's affidavit had not been tendered as evidence in the lis, any cross-examination going beyond the issue of the

Claim to immunity would, in my view, be impermissible.

The proposition that a claim to public interest immunity does not arise inter partes is further supported by the rule that the Claim may be made by any person, including one not a party to the proceedings. Indeed, the Court itself may he obliged to prevent the disclosure of a document even though no claim for public interest immunity has been made, if it is clear to the Court that there may be serious injury to the national interest. There is no suggestion in such a case that the Court should in some way submit itself to interrogation by the parties or should ask for their assistance, though no doubt it would be within the power of the Court to seek such assistance. It has, moreover, been said that once the objection of public interest immunity appears, it

cannot be waived by the Crown or anyone else (Rogers v. Home Secretary (19731 A.C. 388 per Lord Simon of Glaisdale at p. 407;

cf. A. v. Hayden (1984) 56 A.L.R. 82 per Gibbs C.J. at p.90).

In order to adjudicate on the claim to immunity, counsel for

the appellant submitted that there were various ways in which the Court might call for further material without resorting to cross-examination on the substantive parts of the affidavit. If the Court felt that it could not form an adequate judgment on the material in the affidavit, it might call for a further affidavit from the same deponent in order to clarify some point or amplify

the clain. Or it might require the party claiming immunity, in

this case the Attorney-General of the Commonwealth, to tender an

affidavit sworn by a more senior officer or by the relevant

Minister. Moreover, the proposition submitted to us was not put in absolute terms. It was conceded that a court, faced with a challenge to the correctness of the statement in the affidavit of the deponent's position (designed to show he was qualified to give the evidence) might well admit countervailing evidence to be given directed to showing that he did not hold that position and

In my opinion, a claim of public interest immunity in

relation to oral evidence should be dealt with very much in the same confined way as a claim for immunity in relation to documents. It would be a very rare case indeed where the Court would permit cross examination of a deponent or would allow

countervailing evidence, although I am not prepared to say that

In the present case the matters which had already arisen

before the magistrate by questions to Detective Sergeant Ward or

which were forecast to be raised by Counsel for the accused were

set out in the reasons for judgment of the primary Judge as

"1. Whether the courier was a Thai police informant/agent;

Whether an interpreter used by the Australian Federal Police was a Thai police officer;

The positioning of various cameras used in police surveillance of persons involved in the matter;

Whether the courier was paid any money by police or any other person;

The authority by which the courier entered and left Australia;

The whereabouts of certain moneys said to have been given to the courier;

The frequency and extent of the movements in and out of Australia by the courier."

The order which his Honour made and his reasons for judgment indicate that in his view it was not wrong for the magistrate to allow cross-examination of Inspector Wheatley on his affidavit

but that he should be careful to ensure that the matters which

were described as matters in general issue in the committal proceedings would not be disclosed; in other words, that the

material relevant to the matters listed 1to 9 would not be

Before us counsel for the second and fourth respondents indicated the kind of cross-examination which they wished to have in relation to Inspector Wheatley. Both raised the question of Inspector Wheatley's bona fides which they said they wished to attack. They indicated that this was in order to show wrongdoing on the part of the police engaged in the operation, so that the inference might be drawn that Inspector Wheatley was claiming public interest immunity simply to cover up improper conduct or prevent embarrassment_of the Australian Federal Police. The difficulty of allowing cross-examination in order to establish a lack of bona fides in the deponent by demonstrating wrong conduct

of the police in any of the areas covered by paragraphs 1 to 9 is that it would not be possible todo this without canvassing

material relevant to these matters or to some of them. It would be inevitable that some at least of the material for which

immunity was claimed would in the process be disclosed.

As stated above counsel for the second respondent did submit

that before the magistrate it was not sought to examine Inspector Wheatley on the matters in general issue in the committal proceedings. He particularly indicated that, if cross-examination on the affidavit was permitted, it was not proposed to deal with the matter referred to in paragraph l, because the name of the courtier had already been given in

committal proceedings, or the positioning of cameras referred to in paragraph 3. However, notwithstanding that counsel may assert

an absence of intention to canvass general matters in issue in

the committal proceedings, the reality is that once the submission is made that the proposed attack on Inspector Wheatley is against his bona fides, based ona claim that the police have acted improperly in relation to the matters or some of the matters included in paragraphs 1 to 9, it is inevitable that

cross-examination on bona fides must involve the canvassing of

these issues. This appears to me in itself a reason for refusing

Assuming a sound claim for public interest immunity is made out but it is also shown that the deponent has a particular motive for raising that claim, his motive involving a private or ulterior purpose, should the claim for public interest immunity be rejected and the public interest be allowed to be damaged on

that account? It is by no means clear that it should. Rather it seems a claim of this kind is to be decided on balancing public

interest considerations which on both sides are of an objective

The public interest has two aspects which may conflict: one that harm shall not be done to the community by the disclosure of material; the other that the administration of justice shall not be frustrated by the withholding of material which should be produced if justice is to be done. The court has to decide which aspect of the public interest predominates. It was expressed by Gibbs A.C.J. in Sankey v. Whitlam (supra at p. 39) as follows:-

"In some cases .... the Court must weigh the one competing aspect of the public interest against

Stating the position in regard to documents, Gibbs C.J. in Alister v. The Queen (supra at p. 98) said:-

"The final steps in this process - the balancing exercise - can only be taken when it appears that both aspects of the public interest do require consideration - i.e., when it appears, on the one hand, that damage would be done to the public interest by producing the documents sought or

documents of that class, and, on the other hand, that there are or are likely to be documents which contain material evidence."

In the present case when one comes to perform the balancing

task, the public interest which is set forth in the affidavit of Inspector Wheatley seems clear enough and of considerable weight on one side of the scale. On the other side I have sought in vain for any evidence relevant toa defence which might be revealed if the evidence was not withheld. None of the respondents has put forward any affirmative matter of defence to which any of the evidence concerning paras. 1 to 9 would or might relate. It was faintly suggested that cross-examination on these

topics ma; possibly reveal a case of entrapment but entrapment is

not a defence according to our law. Indeed, in performing the balancing exercise in the present case, I am not by the arguments of counsel directed to any weights to be placed in the scales on the side of disclosure in the interests of the proper

administration of justice so far as affirmative matters of

@efence are concerned. It may be that cross-examination on one or more of the matters set forth in paragraphs 1 to 9 might furnish some material destructive of the case for the prosecution, for example, whether the heroin was imported.

However, no matters of substance have so far been raised. The

matter appears to be still at the "fishing" stage. I am not persuaded that any substantial weight is to be placed in the

One grey area remains. If the Crown tenders evidence through Sergeant Ward in support of the charge, either in the committal proceedings or at the trial if this eventuates, it is difficult to see that Sergeant Ward could not be tested by cross-examination on such evidence given in support of the Crown case. The question whether the Crown can offer evidence in support of a prosecution and at the same time claim privilege in respect of it might then arise in one form or another. But, as I

understand the matter, this question has not arisen in the

In the result, it appears to me that cross-examination upon the affidavit by Detective "Thief Inspector Wheatley should not be

I would allow the appeal with costs and would dismiss the cross-appeal. I would agree with the detailed orders proposed in

I certify that this and the preceding eleven pages are a true copy of the reasons for judgment herein of his Honour the Chief ey: Sir Nigel Bowen,

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA ) ) SOUTH 3 STR REGISTRY } No. G376 of 1984 ) )

CORAM: Bowen, C.J., Sheppard and Beaumont, JJ. DATED: 12 February 1985

SHEPPARD J.: In this matter I have had the advantage of reading

the judgments to be delivered by the other members of the Court.

I am thus" saved the need to set out the facts and background of

the matter and to refer to a number of the relevant authorities.

Notwithstanding that there was a claim for relief made in the application to prevent the cross-examination of Sergeant Ward on matters in respect of which the claim for immunity was made, no submission concerning that matter was made to us. The arqument was concentrated upon whether counsel for the respondents should

be permitted to cross-examine Chief Inspector Wheatley. Guided

by what Gibbs A.C.J. (as he then was) said in Sankey v. Whitlam (1978) 142 CLR 1 at p. 38, I conclude that the problem is to he approached in the same way as a case involving a claim for immunity from production of documents based on public interest grounds. In such a case cross-examination of the deponent of the affidavit claiming immunity is not usually permitted. The Court may accept the affidavit as conclusive, or it may require

the production of the documents so that it may inspect them for

the purpose of determining whether it will accede-to the claim _ -

The documents will not be made available for inspection by the

requesting party. In some cases not only the documents, but also

In a case involving oral evidence, as opposed to documents, the Court lacks the ability in an appropriate case to check, so to speak, the validity of the claim by reference to objective evidence. By that I do not mean that the evidence of a police officer such as Chief Inspector Wheatley may not be objective, but production of documents in a documentary case would, in many cases, help a court more confidently to reach the conclusion that the ground had been made out. That will not be possible where no

In Alister v. The Queen (1984) 58 ALJR 97, after the Court had inspected the documents in question, the majority referred (p. 124) to the fact that the disposal of any point in litigation

without the fullest argument on behalf of the parties is a course

to which every Court reacts adversely. Likewise, the determination of any factual question without the benefit of

cross-examination provokes the same adverse reaction.

Nevertheless a procedure must be adopted to cope with the

problen. Except in cases where the matter arises in the course of proceedings and the court or other tribunal hearing the matter

raises the question, it will be for the Crown to satisfy the judge or magistrate that the claim is made out. That will be done in most cases by the judge or magistrate weighing the strength and persuasiveness of the material in the affidavit and taking into account also the seniority and standing of the deponent of it. All this needs to be done with the whole of the circumstances of the case in mind. Those affected by the application for immunity should be given the opportunity of leading relevant evidence on the question. But I am firmly of the view, applying the practice which exists in relation to claims for immunity from production of documents, that only in exceptional circumstances should cross-examination be allowed. That is principally because it will be impossible for any cross-examination to take place without the matters in respect of which the claim is made becoming the subject of it and thus being revealed, The fact that such a cross-examination could be conducted in camera provides no satisfactory solution to the

The principal matter advanced by counsel for the second

respondent in support of his claim to cross-examine Inspector Wheatley related to the whereabouts and availability of the courier for interview by counsel and solicitor instructed by the

"We would like to know whether he was in Australia. We do not want to know precisely his address, but we would like to know through the Crown whether he is here; whether he could be interviewed by us; and whether he would be able to give evidence that would assist our case

There was evidence given in cross-examination in that case (another committal proceeding against other defendants but connected with the instant matter) (which) suggested that the bag containing the $67,000 Australian currency had been given to Komthacrue (the courter) and that he had left Australia with it. We submit that if that is so that smacks of great impropriety in the role of the police because, in the very least, that money being the proceeds of crime, one would think would be forfeitable to the Crown, and what information we have available to us through those other committal proceedings indicates that this courter, who was also indicated in that proceeding to be a Thai police informant, was allowed to leave the country with the proceeds of crime."

Later counsel made reference to cross-examination of Sergeant Ward in which Sergeant Ward agreed that Komthacrue had imported 28 kilograms of heroin into Australia. Sergeant Ward was asked why Komthacrue had not been charged with an offence and it was

Counsel for the fourth respondent supported the submissions

made by counsel for the second respondent. The second and fourth

respondents were the only respondents opposing the relief sought

The matters to be explored in such a cross-examination could not, in my opinion, go to the guilt or innocence of the accused. In the course of argument counsel were pressed to state the relevance of the matters relied upon. No satisfactory answer to the Court's questions was forthcoming. I agree with the other members - of - the - Court - in-their view that the cross-examination proposed was no more than a fishing expedition embarked upon in the hope that something might be disclosed upon which a defence might be based. It follows that the case is one in which it is clear that no cross-examination of Inspector Wheatley should be allowed. In saying what I have I do not wish to be taken as saying that I would hold that cross-examination should necessarily be allowed in cases where the cross-examination would go to issues which bear on the guilt or innocence of an accused person. Even if the questions were relevant there may be overriding considerations which would nevertheless deny a party a

right to cross-examine a witness claiming public interest

What then should the outcome of the appeal be? The Magistrate devised a procedure akin to the taking of evidence on the voir dire. He referred to the need to conduct "a trial within a trial". That course is plainly inappropriate. Apart

from any other consideration, it would necessarily involve the

cross-examination of Inspector Wheatley. For the Magistrate to embark on the course he proposed would thus involve him in making an error of law. That conclusion warrants the interference of this Court. I say that not unmindful of discretionary arguments which may have been relied upon by the respondents. No such matters were put to us and I would respectfully agree with what

was said about this matter by the learned primary Judge.

It follows that the appeal should be allowed and a declaration made that the Magistrate should not permit cross-examination of Inspector Wheatley on his affidavit. The submissions made by the parties do not require the Court to go further, but I think I. should do so. If the Magistrate is satisfied that Inspector Wheatley is a sufficiently senior police officer, and if he is of the view that the contents of the affidavit, looked at in the light of the whole of the circumstances of the case, are sufficiently comprehensive, he

should accept it and give effect to the claim when the cross-examination of Sergeant Ward resumes. If he is not so satisfied, he should ask for a more comprehensive affidavit or for an affidavit from a more senior police officer or from the Minister or Attorney-General. If he follows that course, he will

need to assess the position as it then is when any fresh

I should perhaps add that this does not appear to be a case

where the respondents have relevant evidence to lead. No mention

of any such evidence was made to the Magistrate, to the learned

In the result I would allow the appeal and set aside the order made by the learned primary Judge. I would declare that

the respondent Magistrate is bound to disallow cross-examination

The cross-appeal does not, in the circumstances, arise for consideration. I would dismiss it. I agree in the orders for

I certify c19° 23 and rie 6 preceding pages are > true Cony of bir reasons for judgment herein of The Honourable

BETWEEN: MICHAEL OME YOUNG SPEC INISTER TATE Appellant AND: - ERIS ADRIAN QUIN First Respondent AND: TINA WONG

AND: DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS Fifth Respondent

BEAUMONT, J.: The Special Minister of State appeals from

application by the Minister for judicial review under the

Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act, 1977 ("the

Judicial] Review Act"). Review was sought of a decision of the first respondent, a stipendiary magistrate, who is currently hearing committal proceedings brought by the fifth respondent against the second, third and fourth respondents. The charges allege offences under s.233B of the Customs Act, 1901 and under the Poisons Act, 1966 (N.S.W.). In summary, the allegations of offences under the Commonwealth Act are that in the month of April 1984, the respondents concerned

were guilty of a conspiracy to import heroin into Australia, or were knowingly concerned in the importation of heroin into Australia, or had possession, or attempted to obtain possession, of heroin. Shortly stated, the offences alleged under the State Act relate to a conspiracy to supply heroin

The prosecution case is that on 19 April 1984 a Thai national, identified by name at the committal proceedings but generally referred to as "the courier", entered Australia on a flight arriving at Sydney airport; he brought with him a suitcase; he took it to a motel, where he met some police officers: they found it contained a substantial quantity of heroin which they unpacked; they repacked it with a small, though trafficable, quantity of heroin and with plaster of paris; they kept the suitcase

under surveillance and, over the ensuing 10 days, it led them to each of the three accused persons each of whom either had, or sought to obtain, possession of the suitcase

Detective Sergeant Ward of the Australian Federal Police Drug Unit was called by the prosecution in the committal proceedings. In the course of cross-examining Sergeant Ward, counsel for the accused sought to explore certain of the circumstances surrounding the commission of the offences alleged. These circumstances, which are the matters of contention in these proceedings, were described

"1. Whether the courier was a Thai police informant/agent;

Australian Federal Police was a Thai police officer;

The positioning of various cameras used in police surveillance of persons involved in the matter;

Whether the courier was paid any money by police or any other person;

The authority by which the courier entered and left Australia;

The whereabouts of certain moneys said to have been given to the courier;

The frequency and extent of the movements in and out of Australia by the courier."

His Honour was told by counsel for the accused that these matters were said to be relevant to the committal proceedings because the answers may show that the drugs the subject of the charges were not in fact imported or they may reveal one or more of what are said to be "defences" of entrapment or bias (cf. Bunning v. Cross (1978) 141 C.L.R. 54). The prosecution has indicated that it does not propose

to call the courier to give evidence before the magistrate.

Objection to the cross-examination of Sergeant Ward in relation to these matters was taken on behalf of the Attorney-General for the Commonwealth, who was granted leave to intervene for this purpose. In support of that objection there was tendered to the learned magistrate an affidavit sworn by Detective Chief Inspector, J.F. Wheatley, the officer in charge of the drug operations unit in New South Wales of the Australian Federal Police. In his affidavit, Inspector Wheatley deposed to the existence of regular co-operation between police forces in various countries in relation to the drug trade and expressed the opinion that to permit questions in relation to the matters mentioned would not be in the public interest because the answers might reveal police methods of operations to the prejudice both of future activities of the Australian Federal Police and of

expressed concern that the revelation of information regarding surveillance of drug offenders would be likely to

assist those in the drug trade to mount counter surveillance

and would endanger the life or safety of informants and law

Counsel for the accused respondents contested the claim for immunity raised by the objection and sought to cross-examine Inspector Wheatley. After hearing argument,

",ee it seems to me that the general law applies, namely, that the issue of admissibility of the material sought to he withheld on the basis of the public interest should be the subject of a trial, that is a trial within a trial of that very issue, that each party should have the right to call and examine witnesses and to cross-examine those, if any. of the opposite party. It is then for the tribunal before which such a trial proceeds to fix the circumstances in which the trial should proceed 30 as to avoid the general dissemination of the so-called 'immune' material which turns out ultimately to be immune. I am not convinced the defence counsel has the right to cross-examine a witness called in such a trial on a general issue. That is onthe general issues in these particular circumstances raised in the committal proceedings. He is ... restrained by the rules of relevance ... the defence in these committal proceedings should have the benefit of cross-examination of the author of the affidavit which has been tendered and of any other witness who may be called on the

The appellant, the applicant below and the Minister responsible for the operations of the Australian Federal Police, then sought under the Judicial Review Act a review of this decision; an injunction restraining the learned magistrate from permitting the cross-examination of Inspector Wheatley upon his affidavit; and an order staying the committal proceedings insofar as they involve the giving of any evidence which is claimed in the aforesaid affidavit to be privileged on the grounds of the public interest.

The learned judge first considered the adjectival question whether, in the light of decisions such as Lamb v. Moss (1983) 49 A.L.R. 533 at p.564 and Choo Chenq Kui v. Quinn (Full Federal Court, unreported, 25 September 1984), the Court should, in the exercise of its discretion, decline to intervene in the committal proceedings notwithstanding that an error of law of the kind described in the Judicial Review Act may be made out. His Honour said, correctly I think, that it would normally be undesirable to embark upon a review of a magistrate's ruling on a matter of evidence except where the ruling related to a genuine and important question of legal principle not dependent upon the detail of the evidence in the particular case. His Honour was of the view, which is not challenged by the respondents in this appeal, that the present application fell into the

exceptional class of case of which Sankey v. Whitlam (1978) 142 C.L.R. 1 is an example.

In considering the substantive issues raised by the application, the learned judge referred to the authorities dealing with the allied question of an objection to the production of documents on the ground of the public interest. in particular, re_Grosve Hotel don C1964] 1 Ch. 464 where the possibility of cross-examination of the Minister on his affidavit was contemplated by Cross, J. (as he then was) if the court were of the view that the

_ __ Minister was_.displaying any "lack of candour" or any "tendency to prevaricate". The learned judge also- considered a ruling on evidence given in Registrar of the Workers' ompensat Commiss of New South Wales v. FAT. Insurances Limited [19833 3 N.S.W.L.R. 362, where McGrath, J. (as he then was) rejected any "unfettered" right to cross-examine a deponent on his affidavit objecting to production. His Honour noted that, in Sankey v. Whitlam, supra, Gibbs, A.C.J. (as he then was) observed that the principles under consideration in that case apply in relation to oral as well as to documentary evidence. The learned judge then cited the following passage from Alister v. The Queen (1984) 58 A.L.J.R. 97 made after the Court had inspected the documents in question (at p.124):

",e. we do not discount the significance of the argument that the parties may be more able than the members of the court to discern the possible relevance or material in a trial of this kind, but we remain satisfied that the material would not assist the appellants

the disposal of any point in litigation, without the fullest argument on behalf of the parties, is a course to which every court reacts adversely, however untenable the point in issue may first appear, and however unlikely it is that argument will assist it. The present case evokes the same reaction. But it is the inevitable result when privilege is rightly claimed on grounds of national security."

The learned judge thought that these comments would

have been quite inappropriate if the situation were that the

parties not only had no entitlement to see the documents but

that the court had no discretion to give access to them for

At a glance

Court

Decision date

Before

Source

Judgment (241 paragraphs)

Cases Cited (2)

Cited By (2)