R (Cth) v Rapolti; R (Cth) v Russell; R (Cth) v Speedy Corporation Pty Limited [2016] NSWCCA 264

Court of Criminal Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: R (Cth) v Rapolti; R (Cth) v Russell; R (Cth) v Speedy Corporation Pty Limited [2016] NSWCCA 264 Hearing dates: 27 May 2016 and 10 June 2016 Decision date: 25 November 2016 Before: Ward JA at [1] Garling J at [2] N Adams J at [3] Decision: Appeal dismissed. Catchwords: PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – Crown appeal under s 5F(3A) Criminal Appeal Act (NSW) – where trial judge excluded evidence seized pursuant to search warrants under s 138 Evidence Act 1995 – whether ruling eliminates or substantially weakens the prosecution's case – where first and second respondents contend that the evidence is not capable of making out the elements of the offences charged – where notice imposing rates of dumping duty affected by jurisdictional error – whether collateral challenge appropriate

SEARCH WARRANTS – where search warrant in relation to 'evidential material' issued pursuant to s 198 Customs Act 1901 (Cth) – subsequent decision to proceed with criminal offences – where search warrant under s 3E Crimes Act 1914 (Cth) issued in relation to documents containing those communications and executed at the premises of the CDPP - whether evidence improperly or illegally obtained – whether trial judge erred in interpretation of s 203R Customs Act - whether trial judge erred in excluding evidence pursuant to s 138 Evidence Act 1995 (NSW)

WORDS AND PHRASES – "obtained" Legislation Cited: Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 (Cth), s 16(1)(b) Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), Crimes Act 1900, s 356H(9) Crimes Act 1914, ss 3E, 3C(1), 3UF, 3ZQU, 3ZQX, 3ZQY, 3ZQZA Criminal Appeal Act 1912 (NSW), s 5F(3A) Criminal Code (Cth), s 134.2 Criminal Procedure Act 1986 (NSW), ss 141(1)(b), 143 Customs Act 1901 (Cth), ss 183UA, 198, 203, 203R(1), 203S, 227AA, 243A, 243B, 269TB, 269TG, 269TH(1), s 269TJ, 269TK, 269ZI, 269ZZE(3), 269ZZK, 269ZZM, 269ZX Customs Amendment (Anti-Dumping Improvements) Act (No 1) 2012 (Cth), Schedule 1 Customs Amendment (Anti-Dumping Improvements) Act (No. 3) 2012 (NSW), Schedule 3 Evidence Act 1995 (NSW), s 138 Listening Devices Act 1984 (NSW), ss 19, 22 Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000 (Qld), s 150(1)(a) Cases Cited: Alcan (NT) Alumina Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Territory Revenue (2009) 239 CLR 27; [2009] HCA 41 ASIC v Rich [2005] NSWSC 62 Attorney-General (Cth) v Breckler (1999) 197 CLR 83; [1999] HCA 28 Australian Crime Commission v Marrapodi [2012] WASCA 103 Chief Executive Officer of Customs of Customs v Labrador Liquor Pty Ltd (2003) 216 CLR 49 Dalley v R [2002] NSWCCA 284 DPP v Carr (2002) 127 A Crim R 151; [2002] NSWSC 194 Employment Advocate v Williamson (2001) 111 FCR 20; 185 ALR 590; [2001] FCA 1164 Federal Commissioner of Taxation v Consolidated Media Holdings Ltd (2012) 250 CLR 503; [2012] HCA 55 Fleming v The Queen [2009] NSWCCA 233 Flori v Commissioner of Police & Another [2014] QSCC 284 George v Rockett (1990) 170 CLR 104; [1990] HCA 26 GM Holden Ltd v Commissioner of the Anti-Dumping Commission (2014) 225 FCR 222; [2014] FCA 7078 Grollo v MacAuley [1995] FCR 533 House v The King (1936) 55 CLR 499 Jadwan Pty Ltd v Secretary, Department of Health and Aged Care [2003] FCAFC 288 Ma v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship [2007] FCAFC 69 Ousley v The Queen (1997) 192 CLR 69; [1997] HCA 49 Parker v Comptroller-General of Customs [2007] NSWCA 348; 243 ALR 574 Plaintiff S157/2002 v Commonwealth (2003) 211 CLR 476; [2003] HCA Plaintiff S297/2013 v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection [2015] HCA 3 Rodway v The Queen (1990) 169 CLR 515 R v Camilleri (2007) 169 A Crim R 197; [2007] NSWCCA 36 R v Cornwell (2003) 57 NSWLR 82; [2003] NSWSC 97 R v Haddad; R v Treglia (2000) 116 A Crim R 312 R v Shamouil (2006) 66 NSWLR 228; [2006] NSWCCA 112 R v SJRC [2007] NSWCCA 142 Williams v Keelty (2001) 111 FCR 175; [2001] FCA 130 Texts Cited: Aronson & Groves, Judicial Review of Administrative Action (Lawbook Co, 5th ed, 2013) Category: Principal judgment Parties: Director of Public Prosecutions (Appellant/Crown) Leslie Rapolti (First Respondent) Gregory Russell (Second Respondent) Speedy Corporation Pty Limited (Third Respondent) Representation: Counsel: Mr I Bourke SC with Mr C Taylor (Appellant/Crown) Mr T Game SC with Mr C O'Donnell SC and Ms L-C Hutchinson (First and Second Respondents) Mr P McGuire SC with Mr B Neild (Third Respondent)