Inspector Carmody v Luke Tsougranis [2002] NSWIRComm 282

Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales in Court Session

CITATION : Inspector Carmody v Luke Tsougranis [2002] NSWIRComm 282 PROSECUTOR: WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Carmody) PARTIES : DEFENDANT: Luke Tsougranis FILE NUMBER: IRC 4365, 4366, 4367 and 4368 of 2000 CORAM: Haylen J Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1983 - s 16 and s 17 - witnesses charged under the Act in relation to same workplace accident - witnesses seek to exercise privilege against self-incrimination - operation of s 128 Evidence Act - whether privilege waived - whether s 128 Evidence Act operates as a code displacing common law principles of waiver - whether "interests of justice" require the evidence to be given - principles considered. CATCHWORDS : Evidence - prosecutions under Occupational Health and Safety Act 1983 - witnesses charged under Act in relation to same workplace accident - witnesses seek to exercise privilege against self-incrimination - operation of s 128 Evidence Act - whether privilege waived - whether s 128 Evidence Act operates as a code displaying common law principles of waiver - whether "interests of justice" require the evidence to be given - principles considered. LEGISLATION CITED : Evidence Act s 9 s 56 s 122 s 128(2) s 128(3) s 128(5) s 128(6) s 128(7) s 135 Abigroup Ltd v Akins (1997) 42 NSWLR 623 at 638-639 per Bainton J Accident Insurance Mutual Holdings Ltd v McFadden and anor (1993) 31 NSWLR 412 AMP General Insurance Ltd v Prasad [1999] NSW SC 252 (23 March 1999) Attorney-General for the Northern Territory v Maurice (1986) 161 CLR 475 at 480 Bax Global (Australia) Pty Ltd v Evans & ors (1999) 47 NSWLR 538 Benecke v National Australia Bank (1993) 35 NSWLR 110 Brebner v Perry [1961] SASR 177 at 180 British Coal Corpopration v Dennis Rye Ltd and anor. (No 2) [1988] 1 W.L.R 1113 BTR Engineering (Australia) Ltd v Patterson (1990) 20 NSWLR 724 at 727) Haynes v C I & D Manufacturing Pty Ltd and anor (1995) 60 IR 149, at 156-9 Coleman v Shell Company of Australia Ltd (1943) 45 SR (NSW) at 34 Goldberg v Ng (1995) 185 CLR 83 Goddard v Nationwide Building Society [1987] QB 670 Guinness Peat Properties Ltd v Fitzroy Robinson Partnership [1987] 1 WLR 1027 CASES CITED : Lake Cumberline Pty Ltd and ors v Effem Foods Pty Ltd (1994) 126 ALR 58 at 62). Mann v Carnell (1999) 201 CLR 1 Marriage of Atkinson (1997) 136 FLR 347 at 378 Newcastle Wallsend Coal Co Pty Ltd v Court of Coal Mines Regulation (1997) 42 NSWLR 351 at 392F Quinn v Leathem (1901) AC 495 at 506 Reid v Howard (1995) 184 CLR 1 Smith v The Queen (1991) 25 NSWLR 1 at 9 Sorby v The Commonwealth (1983) 152 CLR 281 Tallglen Pty Ltd v Pay TV Holdings Pty Ltd (unreported, NSW SC, 3 March 1997, Hunter J Telstra Corporation v Australis Media Holdings (No 2) (1997) 49 NSWLR 346 and 349B Triplex Safety Glass Co v Lancegaye Safety Glass (1934) Ltd [1939] 2 KB 395 at 403 Vasil v National Australia Bank Ltd (1999) 46 NSWLR 207 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Lane) v Australian Winch and Haulage Co Pty Ltd (2000) 102 IR 40 at [46]