Morrison v Mahon [2007] NSWLEC 416

Land and Environment Court of New South Wales

CITATION : Morrison v Mahon [2007] NSWLEC 416 This decision has been amended. Please see the end of the judgment for a list of the amendments.

PROSECUTOR: Anthony Morrison PARTIES : DEFENDANT: Danny Mahon

FILE NUMBER(S) : 50014 of 2006

CORAM: Biscoe J

KEY ISSUES: Prosecution :- sentence - plea of guilty to a marine pollution charge - extent and cause of discharge of oil - whether "act" includes omission in s 8A Marine Pollution Act 1987 - whether charge limited to one act causing one discharge - whether charge otherwise impermissibly duplicitous - 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 8A

Barbara Filipowski v Vopak Terminals Sydney Pty Ltd [2006] NSWLEC 104; Cabonne Shire Council v Environment Protection Authority (2001) 115 LGERA 304; Director of Public Prosecutions v Merriman [1973] AC 584; Environment Protection Authority v Middle Harbour Constructions Pty Ltd (2002) 119 LGERA 440; Ex parte Fitzgerald; Re Gordon (1945) 45 SR (NSW) 182; 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; Filipowski v Schiffsbeteiligungsges m.b.H & Co KG (2004) 134 LGERA 48; Filipowski v Wallenius Lines Singapore Pte Ltd & Anor [2002] NSWLEC 14; Hoogendoorn v MISR Shipping Company and Hassan [2001] NSWLEC 171; CASES CITED: Krakouer v The Queen (1998) 194 CLR 202; Morrison v Che Mat and Others (1997) 95 LGERA 212; Morrison v Peacock and Roslyndale Shipping Co Pty Limited [2003] NSWLEC 68; Pace Farm Egg Products Pty Ltd v Newcastle City Council (2006) 151 LGERA 260; Postiglione v The Queen (1997) 189 CLR 295; R v Hamzy (1994) 74 A Crim R 341; R v Howard (1992) 29 NSWLR 242; R v Li [2005] NSWCCA 154; R v Moussad (1999) 152 FLR 373; R v Phillips (1971) 45 ALJR 467; R v Slattery (1996) 90 A Crim R 519; R v Thomson; R v Houlton (2000) 49 NSWLR 383; R v Wilson (1979) 69 Cr App Rep 83; S v The Queen (1989) 168 CLR 266; Thorneloe v Filipowski [2001] NSWCCA 213, (2001) 52 NSWLR 60; Walsh v Tattersall (1996) 188 CLR 77; Webb v Chung & Ors [2002] NSWLEC 135; Weininger v The Queen (2003) 212 CLR 629