Kemp v Air Liquide Australia Ltd [2014] NSWSC 1200

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Kemp v Air Liquide Australia Ltd [2014] NSWSC 1200 Hearing dates: 31/07/2014 Decision date: 05 September 2014 Before: Garling J Decision: (1) I convict Air Liquide Australia Ltd of an offence contrary to s 53 of the Road Transport (General) Act 2005. (2) With respect to that offence, I impose a fine of $5,500. (3) I order Air Liquide Australia Ltd to pay the prosecutor's costs in a sum which is to be agreed or which is to be assessed. Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW - summary jurisdiction - offences under Road Transport (General) Act 2005 - offence by company as consignor - breach of load restraint requirements - guilty plea

CRIMINAL LAW - sentencing - Road Transport (General) Act 2005 - severe risk breach - lower end of range of seriousness - statutory requirements on sentencing - appreciable risk of harm to public safety - risk of harm to road infrastructure - risk of traffic congestion - mitigating factors - lack of relevant previous convictions - purpose of general deterrence - penalty Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 Dangerous Goods (Road and Rail Transport) Regulation 2009 Fines Act 1996 Road Transport (General) Act 2005 Cases Cited: Kemp v Doble, Kemp v Doble Express Transport Pty Ltd [2014] NSWSC 785 Muldrock v R [2011] HCA 39; (2011) 244 CLR 120 R v Borkowski [2009] NSWCCA 102 R v Forbes [2005] NSWCCA 377 R v Thomson; R v Houlton [2000] NSWCCA 309; (2000) 49 NSWLR 383 The Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW v Fletcher International Exports Pty Ltd [2008] NSWSC 936; (2008) 51 MVR 41 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Peter Stewart Kemp (P) Air Liquide Australia Ltd (D) Representation: Counsel: M Cahill (P) T Game SC / R Ranken (D) Solicitors: Sparke Helmore Lawyers (P) Norton Rose Fulbright Australia (D) File Number(s): 2013/135800