Environment Protection Authority v Laison [2015] NSWLEC 89

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Environment Protection Authority v Laison [2015] NSWLEC 89 Hearing dates: 19 May 2015 Decision date: 02 June 2015 Jurisdiction: Class 5 Before: Pain J Decision: 1. The Defendant is convicted of the offence as charged. 2. The Defendant is fined $63,000 to be paid to the Registrar of the Court within 28 days of today's date. 3. The Defendant must pay $40,000 towards the Prosecutor's costs by way of twelve equal monthly instalments of $3,333.33 commencing 28 days after this judgment. 4. The exhibits are to be returned. Catchwords: ENVIRONMENTAL OFFENCES – sentence following plea of guilty to charge of transporting waste to a place that could not be lawfully used as a waste facility – defendant's state of mind at time of commission of offence – co-defendant sentenced separately by different judge – operation of parity principle considered Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) ss 3A, 21A Fines Act 1996 (NSW) s 6 Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW) ss 143(1), 144AA, 241(1) Cases Cited: Axer Pty Ltd v Environmental Planning Authority (1993) 113 LGERA 357 Camilleri's Stock Feeds Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 32 NSWLR 683 Bentley v BGP Properties Pty Ltd [2006] NSWLEC 34; (2006) 145 LGERA 234 Environment Protection Authority v Ashmore [2014] NSWLEC 136 Environment Protection Authority v Waste Recycling and Processing Corporation [2006] NSWLEC 419; (2006) 148 LGERA 299 Gas v the Queen [2004] HCA 22; (2004) 217 CLR 198 Gittany Constructions Pty Ltd v Sutherland Shire Council [2006] NSWLEC 242; (2006) 145 LGERA 189 Green v The Queen [2011] HCA 49; (2011) 244 CLR 462 Makarian v The Queen [2005] HCA 25; (2005) 228 CLR 357 Muldrock v The Queen [2011] HCA 39; 244 CLR 120 Plath v Rawson [2009] NSWLEC 178; (2009) 170 LGERA 253 Shepherd v The Queen [1990] HCA 56; (1990) 170 CLR 573 Texts Cited: Sentencing Bench Book (as at April 2015) Category: Sentence Parties: Environment Protection Authority (Prosecutor) Laison, Mathew Toheroa (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr P English (Prosecutor) Mr D Woodbury (Defendant)