Roberts-Smith v Fairfax Media Publications Pty Limited (No 31) [2022] FCA 271

Federal Court of Australia

Roberts-Smith v Fairfax Media Publications Pty Limited (No 31) [2022] FCA 271 File numbers: NSD 1485 of 2018 NSD 1486 of 2018 NSD 1487 of 2018

Judgment of: ABRAHAM J

Date of judgment: 24 March 2022

Date of publication of reasons: 1 April 2022

Catchwords: PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – subpoena issued to the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force (IGADF) by the applicant – claim by the IGADF of public interest immunity over documents, if they exist, which relate to Person 24 – where public interest immunity had been previously upheld in respect to the documents sought by subpoena – where there has been a material change in circumstances – claim of public interest immunity not established

Legislation: National Security Information (Criminal and Civil Proceedings) Act 2004 (Cth) s 38B

Cases cited: Alister v The Queen [1984] HCA 85; (1984) 154 CLR 404 Brimaud v Honeysett Instant Print Pty Ltd (1988) 217 ALR 44 Browne v Dunn (1893) 6 R. 67 (H.L) Cantarella Bros Pty Ltd v Lavazza Australia Pty Ltd (No 2) [2021] FCA 894 Church of Scientology Inc v Woodward (1982) 154 CLR 25 Gypsy Jokers Motorcycle Club Inc v Commissioner of Police [2008] HCA 4; (2008) 234 CLR 532 Condon v Pompano [2013] HCA 7; (2013) 252 CLR 38 Haydon v Magistrates Court (SA) [2001] SASC 65; (2001) 87 SASR 448 HT v The Queen [2019] HCA 40; (2019) 269 CLR 403 Pivotel Satellite Pty Ltd v Optus Mobile Pty Ltd [2010] FCA 121 Roberts-Smith v Fairfax Media Publications Pty Limited (No 6) [2020] FCA 1285 Roberts-Smith v Fairfax Media Publications Pty Limited (No 8) [2020] FCA 1630 Roberts-Smith v Fairfax Media Publications Pty Limited (No 12) [2021] FCA 465 Roberts-Smith v Fairfax Media Publications Pty Limited (No 14) [2021] FCA 552 Roberts-Smith v Fairfax Media Publications Pty Limited (No 15) [2021] FCA 582 Roberts-Smith v Fairfax Media Publications Pty Limited (No 24) [2021] FCA 1461 Sankey v Whitlam [1978] HCA 43; (1978) 142 CLR 1