Hedges v Australasian Conference Association Ltd [2003] NSWSC 1107

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Hedges v Australasian Conference Association Ltd [2003] NSWSC 1107 HEARING DATE(S) : 14, 15 October 2003 JUDGMENT DATE : 1 December 2003 JURISDICTION: Equity Division JUDGMENT OF : Young CJ in Eq DECISION : The report concerning the alleged sexual abuse was not created in a manner that afforded the plaintiff procedural fairness. Declare report void.

CATCHWORDS : ADMINISTRATIVE LAW [52]- Investigation into allegations of sexual impropriety at school or church- Requirements of natural justice- Right of person affected to be informed of charge- Whether committee may merely adopt investigator's report- Whether one committee may investigate, charge and adjudicate- Whether certiorari lies to church tribunal performing role under Act supervised by Ombudsman. DISCRIMINATION LAW [1]- Alleged discrimination of residents in NSW because NSW law more stringent- No infringement of s 117 of Constitution. MEETINGS [6]- Quorum- Committee- No quorum specified- All members must participate in decision. PROCEDURE [750] Declaration- Report made criticising plaintiff but otherwise not affecting rights- Declaration made. Australian Constitution s 117 LEGISLATION CITED : Commission for Children and Young People Act 1998, ss 33, 39, 42 Ombudsman Act 1974, ss 25A-25F, 26, Part 3A Ainsworth v Criminal Justice Commission (1992) 175 CLR 564 Ball v Pearsall (1987) 10 NSWLR 700 Boughey v The Queen (1986) 161 CLR 10 Carver v Law Society of NSW (1998) 43 NSWLR 71 Craig v South Australia (1995) 184 CLR 163 Ethell v Whalan [1971] 1 NSWLR 416 Faulkner v Talbot [1981] 1 WLR 1528; 3 All ER 468 Fitzgerald v Kennard (1995) 38 NSWLR 184 Green v The Queen (1891) 17 VLR 329 Jeffs v New Zealand Dairy Production and Marketing Board [1967] 1 AC 551 CASES CITED : Kable v DPP (1996) 189 CLR 51 Kioa v West (1985) 159 CLR 550 Leeth v Commonwealth (1992) 174 CLR 455 Lipohar v The Queen (1999) 200 CLR 485 Lyster's Case (1867) LR 4 Eq 233 MacLeod v Attorney-General for NSW [1891] AC 455 Musico v Davenport [2003] NSWSC 977 Re The Liverpool Household Stores Association Ltd (1890) 59 LJ Ch 616 Reg v Ireland [1998] AC 147 St Leonards MC v Williams [1966] Tas SR 166; 15 LGRA 62 White v Ryde MC [1977] 2 NSWLR 909 PARTIES : Dwane Hedges (P) Australasian Conference Association Limited and The President Office Holders and Members of the Australian Union Conference (D) FILE NUMBER(S) : SC 1916/03 COUNSEL : D C Fitzgibbon (P) D R Pritchard and E C Muston (D) SOLICITORS : Daphne Kennedy (P) Henry Davis York (D)