Telstra Corporation Ltd v State of Queensland [2016] FCA 1213

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Telstra Corporation Ltd v State of Queensland [2016] FCA 1213 File number: QUD 202 of 2012

Judge: RANGIAH J

Date of judgment: 14 October 2016

Catchwords: COMMUNICATIONS LAW– whether Land Regulation 2009 (Qld) impermissibly discriminates against carriers by imposing higher rents on carriers than on other businesses for State leases – whether Land Regulation 2009 (Qld) discriminates by denying carriers a right to appeal against rents – construction of cl 44 of Sch 3 to the Telecommunications Act 1997 (Cth) to determine whether market rent is a relevant, appropriate or permissible distinction

Legislation: Australian and Overseas Telecommunications Act 1991 (Cth) Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) Pts XIB and XIC Telecommunications Act 1997 (Cth) ss 3, 7, 26, 30, 42, 56, 484, cll 27, 36, 37, 38, 39, 44 of Sch 3 and Divs 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 of Sch 3 Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999 (Cth) s 12A Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW) s 96 Land Act 1994 (Qld) ss 15, 153, 183 (repealed), 199A, 332, 448, Sch 1B and Pt 1, Chapter 5 (repealed) Land Regulation 1995 (Qld) ss 12, 15, 19 (repealed) Land Regulation 2009 (Qld) ss 26A, 27, 30, 33, 37A and Sch 12 Land and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2014 (Qld) Land Act and Other Legislation Amendment Regulation (No 1) 2014 (Qld) Land Valuation Act 2010 (Qld) ss 5, 6, 7, 19, 26, 72, 105, 147, 155 and 172 Lands Legislation Amendment Act 1991 (Qld) Local Government Act 1989 (Vic) ss 154 and 155 of Pt 8 Local Government Act 1993 (NSW) s 611 Explanatory Notes for the Land Bill 1994 (Qld)