Kvelde v State of New South Wales [2023] NSWSC 1560

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Kvelde v State of New South Wales [2023] NSWSC 1560 Hearing dates: 10 May 2023 Date of orders: 13 December 2023 Decision date: 13 December 2023 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Walton J Decision: (1) The Court declares that subsection 214A(1)(d) of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) is invalid because the provision impermissibly burdens the implied freedom of political communication contrary to the Commonwealth Constitution. (2) The Court declares that subsection 214A(1)(c) of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), to the extent that the paragraph makes it an offence for persons engaged in the conduct specified in the paragraph to cause part of the major facility to be closed, is invalid because the provision, to that extent, impermissibly burdens the implied freedom of political communication contrary to the Commonwealth Constitution. (3) The Summons filed 12 October 2022 is otherwise dismissed. (4) Each party should pay their own costs. (5) Liberty is granted to the parties to apply by writing to the Associate to Justice Walton within 21 days of these orders to vary the terms of the declarations and orders. (6) If possible, any exercise of the liberty in order (5) be dealt with on the papers. But in the event that either party wishes to have a hearing on the terms of the declarations and orders or question of costs, the parties should bring in Short Minutes of Order with an agreed programme for the disposition of the relevant issues. Catchwords: CONSTITUTIONAL LAW — Standing – whether plaintiffs have standing to challenge the validity of s 214A of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) – the plaintiffs' have standing. CONSTITUTIONAL LAW — implied freedom of political communication – construction of impugned provisions – the nature of the burden - whether the implied freedom is burdened – whether there is an incremental effect by the impugned law on the implied freedom – whether burden inconsequential – burden found -– structured proportionality analysis –impugned provisions are legitimate in their purpose – suitable for purpose – lack of necessity – inadequacy in its balance - subsection 214A(1)(c) is invalid in part – standard use words as to proportionality not reasonable – subsection 214A(1)(d) is invalid. CRIMINAL LAW – protesters – validity of legislation – freedom of political communication – Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) - Crimes Amendment (Major Facilities) Regulation 2022 (NSW) – subsection 214A(1)(c) invalid in part – subsection 214A(1)(d) is invalid. ADMINISTRATIVE LAW — Validity of regulation – Roads Act 1993 (NSW) - Roads and Crimes Legislation Amendment Act 2022 (NSW) - regulation is valid. Legislation Cited: Beverage Container Act 1975 (SA) Beverage Container Act Amendment Act 1986 (SA) Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), ss 195, 211, 213, 214A, 217, 428B, 578C(2), (7) Crimes Amendment (Major Facilities) Regulation 2022 (NSW) Crimes Regulation 2000 (NSW) Criminal Appeal Act 1912 (NSW), s 5 Criminal Code (Tas), ss 122, 123 Electoral Funding Act 2018 (NSW), ss 29, 35 Forest Management Act 2013 (Tas) Human Rights (Sexual Conduct) Act 1994 (Cth) Interpretation Act 1987 (NSW), ss 23, 24, 31, 42 Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth), ss 39, 78A, 78B Police Offences Act 1890 (Vic), s 6 Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW), s 144 Road Transport Legislation Amendment (Penalties and Other Sanctions) Act 2018 (NSW), s 2 Roads Act 1993 (NSW), ss 58, 59, 60 Roads Amendment (Major Bridges and Tunnels) Regulation 2022 (NSW), cl 48A Roads and Crimes Legislation Amendment Act 2022 (NSW) Roads Regulation 2018 (NSW) Summary Offences Act 1988 (NSW), ss 8 23, 24 The Constitution, ss 24, 68, 76(i), 77(iii), 128 Transport Administration Act 1988 (NSW) Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW), r 1.22, 1.23, 1.24 Workplaces (Protection from Protesters) Act 2014 (Tas) Cases Cited: Al Mana Lifestyle Trading L.L.C. & Others v United Fidelity Insurance Company PSC and Others [2023] EWCA Civ 61; [2023] All ER (D) 14 (Feb) Al-Kateb v Godwin (2004) 219 CLR; [2004] HCA 37 Athavle v State of New South Wales (2021) 290 FCR 406; [2021] FCA 1075 Attorney-General for South Australia v Adelaide City Corporation (2013) 249 CLR 1; [2013] HCA 3 Attorney-General (NT) v Emmerson (2014) 253 CLR 393; [2014] HCA 13 Auburn Municipal Council v Ivanoff (1964) 10 LGRA 258 Australian Broadcasting Corporation v O'Neill (2006) 227 CLR 57; [2006] HCA 46 Australian Conservation Foundation Inc v Commonwealth (1980) 146 CLR 493; [1980] HCA 53 Beatty v Gillbanks (1882) 9 QBD 308; [1881-5] All ER Rep 559 Boyce v Paddington Borough Council [1903] 1 Ch 109 Breen v Sneddon (1961) 106 CLR 406; [1961] HCA 67 Brown v Tasmania (2017) 261 CLR 328; [2017] HCA 43 Burton v Director of Public Prosecutions (NSW) [2022] NSWCA 22; (2022) 110 NSWLR 145 Cam & Sons v Chief Secretary (1951) 84 CLR 442; [1951] HCA 59 Castlemaine Tooheys Ltd v South Australia (1990) 169 CLR 436; [1990] HCA 1 CB v Director of Public Prosecutions NSW (2013) A Crim R 522; [2013] NSWSC 618 Chugg v Pacific Dunlop Ltd (1990) 170 CLR 249; [1990] HCA 41 City of Brunswick v Stewart (1941) 65 CLR 88; [1941] HCA 7 Clements v Bull (1953) 88 CLR 572; [1953] HCA 61 Clubb v Edwards (2019) 267 CLR 171; [2019] HCA 11 Coleman v Power (2004) 220 CLR 1; [2004] HCA 39 Comcare v Banerji (2019) 267 CLR 373; [2019] HCA 19 Commission of Police v Rintoul [2003] NSWSC 662 Commissioner of Police v Allen (1984) 14 A Crim R Commissioner of Police v Jackson [2015] NSWSC 96 Commissioner of Police v Vranjkovic (Unreported, NSWSC, 28 October 1980) Commissioner of Taxes (Vic) v Lennon (1921) 29 CLR 579; [1921] HCA 44 Cordingley v Cheeseborough (1862) 4 De GF & J 379; (1862) 45 ER 1230 Croome v State of Tasmania (1997) 191 CLR 119; [1997] HCA 5 Crowe v Graham (1968) 121 CLR 375; [1968] HCA 6 Director of Public Prosecutions v Belani (2005) 64 NSWLR 319; [2005] NSWSC 1013 Director of Public Prosecutions v United Telecasters Sydney Ltd (1990) 168 CLR 594; [1990] HCA 5 Dowling v Bowie (1952) 86 CLR 136; [1952] HCA 63 Environment Protection Authority v Condon as liquidator for Orchard Holdings (NSW) Pty Ltd (in liq) (2014) 86 NSWLR 499; [2014] NSWCA 149 Environment Protection Authority v Grafil Pty Ltd; Environment Protection Authority v Mackenzie (2019) 101 NSWLR 245; [2019] NSWCCA 174 Environment Protection Authority v N (1992) 26 NSWLR 352; (1992) 59 A Crim R 408 Farm Transparency International Ltd v New South Wales (2022) 96 ALJR 655; [2022] HCA 23 Federated Engine-Drivers and Firemen's Association of Australasia v Broken Hill Pty Co Ltd (1911) 12 CLR 398; [1911] HCA 31 Fitzgerald v Montoya (1989) 16 NSWLR 164; (1989) 40 A Crim R 105 Fletcher v Harris [2005] ACTSC 27 Gas Fuel Corporation (Vic) v Comptroller of Stamps [1964] VR 617 Gerhardy v Brown (1985) 159 CLR 70; [1985] HCA 11 Haywood v Mumford (1908) 7 CLR 133; [1908] HCA 62 He Kaw Teh v The Queen (1985) 157 CLR 523; [1985] HCA 43 Henshaw v Mark (1997) 95 A Crim R 115 Hubbard v Pitt [1976] QB 142 Hussein v Secretary, Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs [2006] FCA 286 Jobling v Blacktown Municipal Council (1969) 17 LGRA 92; [1969] 1 NSWLR 129 Kuczborski v Queensland (2014) 254 CLR 51; [2014] HCA 46 Lange v Australian Broadcasting Corporation (1997) 189 CLR 520; [1997] HCA 25 Lendlease Building Contractors Pty Limited v Australian Budling and Constructions Commissioner (No 2) (2022) 314 IR 378; [2022] FCA 192 Levy v Victoria (1997) 189 CLR 579; [1997] HCA 31 LibertyWorks Inc v Commonwealth (2021) 95 ALJR 490; [2021] HCA 18 Lygon Nominees Pty Ltd v Commissioner of State Revenue (2007) 23 VR 474; [2007] VSCA 140 Magaming v The Queen (2013) 252 CLR 381; [2013] HCA 40 Maloney v The Queen (2013) 252 CLR 168; [2013] HCA 28 Mattinson v Multiplo Incubators Pty Ltd [1977] 1 NSWLR 368 McCloy v State of New South Wales (2015) 257 CLR 178; [2015] HCA 34 McMillan v Barclay Curle & Co Ltd (1899) 2 F(Ct of Sess) 91 Melbourne Corp v Barry (1922) 31 CLR 174; [1922] HCA 56 Mellifont v Attorney-General (Qld) (1991) 173 CLR 289; [1991] HCA 53 Meriton Units Pty Ltd v Rule (Unreported, NSWSC, Needham J, 18 April 1983 at 7) Monis v The Queen (2013) 249 CLR 92; [2013] HCA 4 New South Wales v Commonwealth (Work Choices Case) (2006) 229 CLR 1; [2006] HCA 52 Nguyen v The Director of Public Prosecutions (NSW) [2023] NSWCCA 42 Nicholas v The Queen (1998) 193 CLR 173; [1998] HCA 9 NSW Commissioner of Police v Bainbridge [2007] NSWSC 1015; (2007) 175 A Crim R 226 Pape v Federal Commissioner of Taxation (2009) 238 CLR 1; [2009] HCA 23 Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain v Dickson [1970] AC 403; [1968] 2 All ER 686 Purdon v Dittmar [1972] 1 NSWLR 94 R v A2 (2019) 269 CLR 507; [2019] HCA 35 R v Edwards [1975] QB 27 R v Goreng-Goreng (2008) 220 FLR 21; [2008] ACTSC 74 R v Uddin [2017] EWCA Crim 1072; [2018] 1 All ER 1073 Re Judiciary and Navigation Acts (1921) 29 CLR 257; [1921] HCA 20 Robinson v Western Australia (1977) 138 CLR 283; [1977] HCA 46 Roy v O'Neill (2020) 272 CLR 291; [2020] HCA 45 Ruddick v Commonwealth (2020) 96 ALJR 367; [2022] HCA 9 SAS Trustee Corporation v Miles (2018) 265 CLR 137; [2018] HCA 55 Schubert v Lee (1946) 71 CLR 589; [1946] HCA 28 Shanahan v Scott (1957) 96 CLR 245; [1957] HCA 4 South Australia v Tanner (1989) 166 CLR 161; [1989] HCA 3 South Australia v Totani (2010) 242 CLR 1; [2010] HCA 39 Sportodds Systems Pty Ltd v New South Wales (2003) 133 FCR 63; [2003] FCAFC 237 Taheri v Vitek (2014) 87 NSWLR 403; [2014] NSWCA 209 Taikato v The Queen (1996) 186 CLR 454; [1996] HCA 28 Tajjour v New South Wales (2014) 254 CLR 508; [2014] HCA 35 The King v Jacobs Group (Australia) Pty Ltd [2023] HCA 23 Thomas v Mowbray (2007) 233 CLR 307; [2007] HCA 33 Tunney v Keehn; Ex parte Keehn [1977] Qd R 6 Tyne Keelmen v Davison (1864) 16 CBNS 612 Unions New South Wales v New South Wales (2023) 407 ALJR 277; [2023] HCA 4 Unions New South Wales v State of New South Wales (2013) 252 CLR 530; [2013] HCA 58 Vines v Djordjevitch (1955) 91 CLR 512; [1955] HCA 19 Watson v Trenerry (1998) 122 NTR 1; (1998) 100 A Crim R 408 Will v Brighton (2020) 104 NSWLR 170: [2020] NSWCA 335 Williams v Melbourne Corporation (1933) 49 CLR 142; [1933] HCA 56 Wotton v Queensland (2012) 246 CLR 1; [2012] HCA 2 Texts Cited: Delegated Legislation in Australia (2017) Introduction to the Study of the Law of the Constitution, 8th ed (1915) Mark Aronson, Matthew Groves and Greg Weeks, Judicial Review of Administrative Action and Government Liability (Lawbook, 6th ed, 2017) 778 New South Wales, Legislative Assembly, Parliamentary Debates (Hansard), 30 March 2022 Roads and Crimes Legislation Amendment Bill 2022 (NSW) Shorter Oxford English Dictionary (6th ed.) Shorter Oxford University Press Category: Principal judgment Parties: Helen Kvelde (First Plaintiff) Dominique Jacobs (Second Plaintiff) State of New South Wales (First Defendant) Representation: Counsel: S Free SC (Plaintiffs) F Graham (Plaintiffs) E Jones (Plaintiffs) D Farinha (Plaintiffs)