Carr v Attorney-General (Cth) [2023] FCA 1500

Federal Court of Australia

Carr v Attorney-General (Cth) [2023] FCA 1500 File number(s): VID 428 of 2022

Judgment of: ABRAHAM J

Date of judgment: 30 November 2023

Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW – whether "suicide" in the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) applies to conduct in accordance with, and authorised by, Victorian voluntary assisted dying legislation. CONSTRUCTION – Application for declaratory relief – meaning of "suicide" in the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) – whether inconsistency between Commonwealth and State law – where Court has jurisdiction to determine application. HELD – "Suicide" in the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) does apply to conduct undertaken in accordance with and authorised by Victorian legislation – alternate declaration made.

Legislation: Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (Cth) s 15AA Criminal Code Amendment (Theft, Fraud, Bribery and Related Offences) Act 2000 (Cth) Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) ss 474.29A, 474.29B, 475.1 Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth) s 39B(1A)(c) Crimes Act 1958 (Vic) s 6B(2) Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2017 (Vic) ss 57(a), 79, 80 Voluntary Assisted Dying Regulations 2018 (Vic)

Cases cited: Alcan (NT) Alumina Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Territory Revenue [2009] HCA 41; (2009) 239 CLR 27 BHP Group Limited v Impiombato [2022] HCA 33; (2022) 405 ALR 402 British Medical Association v The Commonwealth (1949) 79 CLR 201 Certain Lloyd's Underwriters Subscribing to Contract No IH00AAQS v Cross [2012] HCA 56; (2012) 248 CLR 378 Croome v Tasmania [1997] HCA 5; (1996) 191 CLR 119 Dickson v The Queen [2010] HCA 30; (2010) 241 CLR 491 Disorganised Developments Pty Ltd v South Australia [2023] HCA 22; (2023) 410 ALR 508 H Ltd v J [2010] SASC 176; (2010) 107 SASR 352 Hobart International Airport Pty Ltd v Clarence City Council [2022] HCA 5; (2022) 399 ALR 214 IL v The Queen [2017] HCA 27; (2017) 262 CLR 268 In re Judiciary and Navigation Acts [1921] HCA 20; (1921) 29 CLR 257 Jemena Asset v Coinvest Ltd [2011] HCA 33; (2011) 244 CLR 508 Kuczborski v Queensland [2014] HCA 46; (2014) 254 CLR 51 Lake Macquarie Shire Council v Aberdare County Council [1970] HCA 32; (1970) 123 CLR 327 Masson v Parsons [2019] HCA 21; (2019) 266 CLR 554 Momcilovic v The Queen [2014] HCA 18; (2011) 254 CLR 1 Norrie v NSW Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages [2013] NSWCA 145; (2013) 84 NSWLR 697 Project Blue Sky Inc v Australian Broadcasting Authority [1998] HCA 28; (1998) 194 CLR 355 Unions NSW v New South Wales [2023] HCA 4; (2023) 97 ALR 277 R v A2 [2019] HCA 35; (2019) 269 CLR 507 R v Credit Tribunal; Ex parte General Motors Acceptance Corporation, Australia [1977] HCA 34; (1977) 137 CLR 545 R v Gee [2003] HCA 12; (2003) 212 CLR 230 Royal College of Nursing of the United Kingdom v Department of Health and Social Security [1981] AC 800; [1981] 1 All ER 545 SZTAL v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection [2017] HCA 34; (2017) 262 CLR 362 Taylor v The Owners – Strata Plan No 11564 [2014] HCA 9; (2014) 253 CLR 531 Work Health Authority v Outback Ballooning Pty Ltd [2019] HCA 2; (2019) 266 CLR 428 X v The Sydney Children's Hospitals Network [2013] NSWCA 320; (2013) 85 NSWLR 294