Morrison v Defence Maritime Services Pty Ltd and Coates [2007] NSWLEC 421

Land and Environment Court of New South Wales

CITATION : Morrison v Defence Maritime Services Pty Ltd and Coates [2007] NSWLEC 421

50049 of 2005

PROSECUTOR: Anthony Morrison

DEFENDANT: Defence Maritime Services Pty Ltd PARTIES : 50048 of 2005

PROSECUTOR: Anthony Morrison

DEFENDANT: Allen Coates

FILE NUMBER(S) : 50048-49 of 2005

CORAM: Biscoe J

KEY ISSUES: Prosecution :- sentence - plea of guilty to a marine pollution charge - extent and cause of discharge of oil - sentencing considerations - result offence - potential for result to occur cannot be taken into account on sentencing but proper to take into account when exercising statutory discretion whether to dismiss proceedings without proceeding to conviction - whether higher penalties ordinarily result where parliament has increased maximum penalty - parity of sentencing

LEGISLATION CITED: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 ss 10, 21A(3), 22 Marine Pollution Act 1987 s 8

Barbara Filipowski v Vopak Terminals Sydney Pty Ltd [2006] NSWLEC 104; Cabonne Shire Council v Environment Protection Authority (2001) 115 LGERA 304; Environment Protection Authority v Middle Harbour Constructions Pty Ltd (2002) 119 LGERA 440; Filipowski v Arta Adhisatya Pte Ltd and Sahea [2002] NSWLEC 169; Filipowski v Cadem Shipping Pty Ltd & Anor [2005] NSWLEC 552; Filipowski v Dayton Corporation (2004) 138 LGERA 150; Filipowski v De Ocampo [1998] NSWLEC 119; Filipowski v Fratelli D'Amato S.r.l and Others (2000) 108 LGERA 88; Filipowski v Frey [2005] NSWLEC 661; Filipowski v Island Maritime Ltd; Majgaonkar [2005] NSWLEC 73; Filipowski v Mediterranean Shipping Co SA and Ors [2005] NSWLEC 159; CASES CITED: Filipowski v Schiffsbeteiligungsges m.b.H & Co KG (2004) 134 LGERA 48; Filipowski v Wallenius Lines Singapore Pte Ltd & Anor [2002] NSWLEC 148; Hoogendoorn v MISR Shipping Company and Hassan [2001] NSWLEC 171; Morrison v Che Mat and Others (1997) 95 LGERA 212; Morrison v Peacock and Roslyndale Shipping Company Pty Ltd [2003] NSWLEC 68; Postiglione v The Queen (1997) 189 CLR 295; R v Howard (1992) 29 NSWLR 242; R v Li [2005] NSWCCA 154; R v Slattery (1996) 90 A Crim R 519; R v Thomson; R v Houlton (2000) 49 NSWLR 383; Thorneloe v Filipowski [2001] NSWCCA 213, (2001) 52 NSWLR 60; Webb v Chung & Ors [2002] NSWLEC 135; Weininger v The Queen (2003) 212 CLR 629