Maritime Union of Australia v Geraldton Port Authority [1999] FCA 151

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Maritime Union of Australia v Geraldton Port Authority [1999] FCA 151

EVIDENCE – discovery – civil proceedings – claim of public interest privilege – whether documents subject of claim able to be characterised as Cabinet documents – whether public interest in administration of justice outweighs public interest in maintaining confidentiality -whether relevance of Cabinet documents to the proceedings justifies disclosure – effect of partial disclosure to another party and his solicitor and counsel – whether maintenance of immunity would offend principles of natural justice.

Evidence Act 1995 (Cth), s 130 Workplace Relations Act (1996) (Cth), s 298K, s298L

Sankey v Whitlam (1978) 142 CLR 1, considered The Commonwealth of Australia v Northern Land Council (1993) 176 CLR 604, considered State of New South Wales v Ryan, unreported Federal Court of Australia, Burchett, Hill and Madgwick JJ, 2 September 1998), considered Australian National Airlines Commission v The Commonwealth of Australia (1975) 132 CLR 582, discussed

MARITIME UNION OF AUSTRALIA & ORS, v GERALDTON PORT AUTHORITY & ORS

WAG 101 OF 1999

R D NICHOLSON J

25 FEBRUARY 1999

SYDNEY (Heard in PERTH)

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

WESTERN AUSTRALIA DISTRICT REGISTRY WAG 101 OF 1998

MARITIME UNION OF AUSTRALIA BETWEEN: First Applicant

PETER WINCH-BUIST, PAUL ARTHUR, CLIVE LAURISTEN, STEVE PENNEY

Second Applicant

AND: GERALDTON PORT AUTHORITY

First Respondent

B E and S G BROWN NOMINEES PTY LTD (TRADING AS GERALDTON SHIPPING AGENCIES)

Second Respondent

ERIC CHARLTON

Third Respondent

MURRAY CRIDDLE

Fourth Respondent

JUDGE: R D NICHOLSON J