Bropho v Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission [2002] FCA 1510

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Bropho v Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission [2002] FCA 1510

HUMAN RIGHTS – application for review – publication of cartoon – uncontested findings of offensive behaviour – application of exemption – protecting certain forms of freedom of expression– no error of law in application of reasonableness and good faith test – no failure to take into account various matters Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (Cth) s 15AB Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 (Cth) s 5, 5(1)(e), (f) and (h), 5(2), 5(3) Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) ss 18B, 18C, 18C(2)(a), 18D, 18D(a), (b) and (c), 18D(c)(ii), 25X Racial Hatred Bill 1994 (Parliament of Australia, Senate Hansard, 28 November 1994, 3277) Bryl & Kovacevic v Nowra & Melbourne Theatre Company (1999) (Commissioner Johnston, 21 June 1999, Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission) referred to Western Aboriginal Legal Services v Jones (2000) NSW ADT 102 referred to Re Dalton [1963] 1 Ch 336 referred to Australian Postal Corporation v Pac-Rim Printing Pty Ltd (1999) 163 ALR 372 referred to Cannane v J Cannane Pty Ltd (in liquidation) (1998) 192 CLR 557 followed Re Tabrisky; ex parte The Board of Trade [1947] Ch 565 referred to Re Boyce and Registrar of Firearms (1999) 55 ALD 319 referred to Jones v Scully [2002] FCA 1080 referred to Vines v Djordjevitch (1955) 91 CLR 512 considered ROBERT CHARLES BROPHO v HUMAN RIGHTS & EQUAL OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION and WEST AUSTRALIAN NEWSPAPERS LIMITED W163 of 2001 RD NICHOLSON J 4 DECEMBER 2002 PERTH

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

WESTERN AUSTRALIA DISTRICT REGISTRY W163 of 2001

BETWEEN: ROBERT CHARLES BROPHO

APPLICANT

AND: HUMAN RIGHTS & EQUAL OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION

FIRST RESPONDENT

WEST AUSTRALIAN NEWSPAPERS LIMITED