In the matter of OPEL Networks Pty Ltd (in liq) [2010] NSWSC 142

Reported Decision : 77 NSWLR 128

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : In the matter of OPEL Networks Pty Ltd (in liq) [2010] NSWSC 142

HEARING DATE(S) : 16 November, 17 December 2009

JUDGMENT DATE : 4 March 2010

JURISDICTION : Equity

JUDGMENT OF : Austin J

DECISION : Application for production to be dismissed, subject to Court inspecting three documents

CATCHWORDS : CONSTITUTIONAL LAW - public interest immunity - whether documents would disclose Cabinet deliberations - whether court should inspect documents - parliamentary privilege - whether draft Question Time briefs are protected - meaning of "impeached" - EVIDENCE - client legal privilege - method of proving privilege

Bill of Rights 1688 (1 Will and Mary Sess 2 c 2) LEGISLATION CITED : Evidence Act 1995 (NSW), ss 117, 118, 130 Parliamentary Privileges Act 1987 (Cth), s 16 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules, r 1.9

Attorney-General (NSW) v Chidgey (2008) 182 A Crim R 536 Commonwealth of Australia v Northern Land Council (1993) 176 CLR 604 Commonwealth v Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (2000) 98 FCR 31; [2000] FCA 453 Conway v Rimmer [1968] AC 910 Egan v Chadwick (1999) 46 NSWLR 563; [1999] NSWCA 176 Lanyon v Commonwealth of Australia (1974) 129 CLR 650 CASES CITED : Mees v Road Corporation (2003) 128 FCR 418; [2003] FCA 306 Penrith Rugby League Club Ltd v Brown [2004] NSWSC 1182 Re Southland Coal Pty Ltd (recrs & mgrs apptd)(in liq) (2006) 59 ACSR 87; [2006] NSWSC 899 Rowley v O'Chee [2000] 1 Qd R 207 Sankey v Whitlam (1978) 142 CLR 1 Sportsbet Pty Ltd v New South Wales (No 3) [2009] FCA 1283 Watson v AWB Ltd (No 2) [2009] FCA 1047 WorkCover Authority (NSW) v Law Society of NSW (2006) 65 NSWLR 502; [2006] NSWCA 84