Ku-ring-gai Council v John David Chia (No 4) [2018] NSWLEC 75

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Ku-ring-gai Council v John David Chia (No 4) [2018] NSWLEC 75 Hearing dates: 16, 17, 18, 20, and 24 April,16 May 2018 Date of orders: 22 May 2018 Decision date: 22 May 2018 Jurisdiction: Class 5 Before: Robson J Decision: See orders at [108] Catchwords: PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – interlocutory application – evidence – criminal trial – application by defendant to exclude evidence under s 138 of the Evidence Act – interview given by defendant against his objection – transcript of interview provided to investigator – transcript referenced by investigator whilst interviewing material witnesses – whether witnesses should be precluded from giving evidence – whether evidence improperly obtained

STATUTORY INTERPRETATION – statute conferring the power to compulsorily interview – privilege against self-incrimination – whether fundamental right abrogated in the context of the statute – principles of construction – principle of legality – whether use of plain words or necessary implication Legislation Cited: Australian Crime Commission Act 2002 (Cth) s 25A Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW) ss 118N, 118BA, 119S, 122U Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) s 138 New South Wales Crime Commission Act 1985 (NSW) s 13 Cases Cited: Coco v The Queen (1994) 179 CLR 427; [1994] HCA 15 Hunter v Chief Constable of West Midlands Police [1982] AC 529 Ku-ring-gai Council v John David Chia (No 3) [2018] NSWLEC 61 Lee v New South Wales Crime Commission (2013) 251 CLR 196; [2013] HCA 39 Lee v The Queen (2014) 253 CLR 455 Potter v Minahan (1908) 7 CLR 277; [1908] HCA 63 R v Independent Broad-Based Anti-Corruption Commissioner (2016) 256 CLR 459; [2016] HCA 8 R v Ross Edward Seller; R v Patrick David McCarthy [2013] NSWCCA 42; (2013) 273 FLR 155 R v Seller; R v McCarthy [2012] NSWSC 934; (2012) 269 FLR 125 Rogers v R (1994) 181 CLR 251 Seller v The Queen; McCarthy v The Queen (2015) 89 NSWLR 155; [2015] NSWCCA 76 X7 v Australian Crime Commission (2013) 248 CLR 92; [2013] HCA 29 Category: Procedural and other rulings Parties: Ku-ring-gai Council (Prosecutor) John David Chia (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: T Howard SC with N Hammond (Prosecutor) C Steirn SC with A Djemal (Defendant)