Environment Protection Authority v McConnell Dowell Constructors (Australia) Pty Ltd [2002] NSWLEC 202

Land and Environment Court of New South Wales

CITATION : Environment Protection Authority v McConnell Dowell Constructors (Australia) Pty Ltd [2002] NSWLEC 202 PROSECUTOR Environment Protection Authority PARTIES : DEFENDANT McConnell Dowell Constructors (Australia) Pty Ltd FILE NUMBER(S) : 50009 of 1999 CORAM: Pearlman J KEY ISSUES: Evidence :- admissibility - record of interview - whether an admission - whether discretion to exclude should be exercised - authority to make admission - whether admission improperly obtained - failure of investigator to give full caution Clean Waters Act 1970 s 16(1) LEGISLATION CITED: Evidence Act 1995 s 81, s 87, s 90, s 138, s 139, s 187 Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 s 216 CASES CITED: Papakosmas v The Queen (1999) 196 CLR 297; Tesco Supermarkets Ltd v Nattrass (1972) AC 153 DATES OF HEARING: 05/11/2002; 07/11/2002 DATE OF JUDGMENT: 11/12/2002

PROSECUTOR Mr D A Buchanan SC with Mrs J Kelly (Barrister) SOLICITORS Environment Protection Authority LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES: DEFENDANT Mr J L Glissan QC with Mr G B Newport (Barrister) SOLICITORS Doyles Construction Lawyers

JUDGMENT:

IN THE LAND AND ENVIRONMENT COURT OF NEW SOUTH WALES 50009 of 1999 Pearlman J 12 November 2002 ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AUTHORITY Prosecutor v McCONNELL DOWELL CONSTRUCTORS (AUSTRALIA) PTY LTD Defendant Judgment