Senator David Leyonhjelm has again demanded the government release its completed review into the state and territory suppression order regimes.
“In order to secure my support for the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC), the government agreed to review suppression order laws across each jurisdiction and to raise the issue with the States,” Senator Leyonhjelm explained.
“As the letter shows, the Attorney-General at the time, Senator George Brandis, wrote to me and pledged that the Government would take a lead role on this important issue.
“This review has been completed and discussed with the States, however the final report is sitting on a shelf somewhere, out of the hands of the public.
“The high-profile case dominating the news this week, which made international headlines in December but has only just been broadcast in Australia, has again highlighted the urgent need for changes to suppression orders, at least in some States.”
Currently, suppression orders are typically made by courts without any opposing argument, with broad scope and unnecessarily lengthy duration. Media outlets are usually prevented from making arguments to a court before a suppression order is made.
“Suppression orders impede open justice, which is fundamental to ensuring community faith in the justice system,” Senator Leyonhjelm said. “What’s more, the orders are simply not keeping up with technology or the 24/7 worldwide news cycle.”
“It is time for the government to release its report reviewing suppression orders across state and federal jurisdictions,” he added. “We shouldn’t pursue a new review of suppression orders – as the Law Council have called for – while an existing review remains under wraps.”
“Despite claims from the Law Council, there’s no logic in imposing a uniform approach to suppression orders across the federation – different jurisdictions can make their own decisions about rules for suppression orders in their distinct court systems. But denying the public access to analysis and discussion of this important matter serves no one.”
