Attorney-General for the State of Queensland v ZBA [2023] QSC 131
SUPREME COURT OF QUEENSLAND
CITATION: Attorney-General for the State of Queensland v ZBA [2023]
QSC 131
PARTIES: ATTORNEY-GENERAL FOR THE STATE OF
QUEENSLAND
(applicant)
v
ZBA
(respondent)
FILE NO/S: BS No 10345 of 2019
DIVISION: Trial Division
PROCEEDING: Application
ORIGINATING
COURT: Supreme Court of Queensland at Brisbane
DELIVERED ON: 23 June 2023
DELIVERED AT: Brisbane
HEARING DATE: 13 June 2023
JUDGE: Cooper J
ORDERS: Date of Orders: 13 June 2023
1. The question of the respondent’s capacity to respond to
the proceedings under the Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual
Offenders) Act 2003 (Qld) pending in the Supreme
Court in BS No 10345 of 2019 be referred to the
Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal for
determination.
2. The application for annual review pursuant to Part 3 of
Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003 (Qld)
be listed for review on 17 August 2023 at 9:15 am.
3. The parties be granted liberty to apply generally.
4. The Registrar of the Supreme Court provide to the
Registrar of the Queensland Civil and Administrative
Tribunal a copy of the following material:
(a) A copy of Attorney-General for the State of
Queensland v ZBA [2023] QSC 131;
(b) A copy of the transcript from the hearing on 13
June 2023; and
(c) A copy of the following documents from Supreme
Court file BS No 10345 of 2019:
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(i) Affidavit of Amanda McLean filed 17
November 2021;
(ii) Affidavit of Kenneth Arthur filed 13
January 2023;
(iii) Affidavit of Scott Harden filed 18 January
2023;
(iv) Affidavit of Nicholas Palmer filed 2 June
2023; and
(v) Affidavit of Amanda McLean filed 13 June
2023.
5. The Registrar of the Supreme Court to obtain an
update from the Registrar of the Queensland Civil and
Administrative Tribunal as to the progress of the
referral by 4 pm on 10 August 2023.
CATCHWORDS: CRIMINAL LAW – SENTENCE – SENTENCING ORDERS
– ORDERS AND DECLARATIONS RELATING TO
SERIOUS OR VIOLENT OFFENDERS OR DANGEROUS
SEXUAL OFFENDERS – DANGEROUS SEXUAL
OFFENDER – GENERALLY – where a continuing detention
order was made in respect of the respondent under the
Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003 (Qld) –
where, upon the first annual review of the continuing detention
order, the continuing detention order was affirmed – where the
applicant applied for a second annual review of the continuing
detention order
HEALTH LAW – GUARDIANSHIP, MANAGEMENT
AND ADMINISTRATION OF PROPERTY OF PERSONS
WITH IMPAIRED CAPACITY – GUARDIANSHIP AND
SIMILAR APPOINTMENTS – GENERAL PRINCIPLES –
where the second annual review of the continuing detention
order under the Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act
2003 (Qld) has not been heard because of the respondent’s
potential impaired capacity – whether the respondent is a
person with impaired capacity – whether the question of
whether a guardian should be appointed under the
Guardianship and Administration Act 2000 (Qld) should be
referred for consideration by the Queensland Civil and
Administrative Tribunal
Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003 (Qld), s
27(2)
Guardianship and Administration Act 2000 (Qld)
Supreme Court Act 1991 (Qld), Sch 5
Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999 (Qld), r 72, r 93, r 94, r
95
Attorney-General for the State of Queensland v FPN [2021]
QSC 110, considered
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Attorney-General for the State of Queensland v SLS [2021]
QSC 111, considered
Attorney-General for the State of Queensland v ZBA [2020]
QSC 4, related
COUNSEL: J Tate for the applicant
C R Smith for the respondent as amicus curiae
SOLICITORS: Crown solicitor for the applicant
Legal Aid Queensland for the respondent as amicus curiae
[1] On 31 January 2020, a continuing detention order was made in respect of the
respondent under the Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003 (Qld)
(DPSO Act).1
[2] On 26 November 2021, upon the first annual review of that continuing detention
order, the decision that the respondent is a serious danger to the community in the
absence of an order pursuant to Division 3, Part 2 of the DPSO Act was affirmed and
it was ordered that the respondent continue to be subject to the continuing detention
order.
[3] On 24 November 2022, the Attorney-General for the State of Queensland (the
applicant) applied, pursuant to s 27(2) of the DPSO Act, for the court to review the
continuing detention order. This would be the second annual review of the continuing
detention order.
[4] The second annual review has not yet been heard. The reason is that an issue has
arisen as to whether the respondent is a person with “impaired capacity”.
[5] When the matter came on for hearing before me on 13 June 2023, the applicant
submitted that, on the clinical evidence obtained in preparing for the second annual
review (addressed below), the respondent satisfies the statutory definition of being a
“person with impaired capacity” and sought orders referring the question whether a
guardian should be appointed under the Guardianship and Administration Act 2000
(Qld) (GAA Act) for consideration by the Queensland Civil and Administrative
Tribunal (QCAT).
[6] Ms Smith of counsel and Legal Aid Queensland have been unable to obtain
instructions from the respondent in relation to the matter. In the circumstances it was
appropriate that Ms Smith made submissions as amicus curiae. In that position, Ms
Smith did not oppose the orders sought by the applicant.
[7] The respondent was present for the hearing via video link.
[8] On the basis of the evidence set out in various clinical reports, as well as the oral
evidence of two psychiatrists, Dr Harden and Dr Arthur, I was satisfied that I should
make the orders sought by the applicant. I made those orders at the conclusion of the
hearing on 13 June 2023 and indicated that I would deliver my reasons for making
those orders later. These are my reasons for making the orders.
1 Attorney-General for the State of Queensland v ZBA [2020] QSC 4.
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Relevant legislation and principles
[9] The issue which has emerged requires consideration of:
(a) r 72 of the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999 (Qld) (UCPR), which is
engaged in circumstances where a party to a civil proceeding (which includes
proceedings under the DPSO Act) becomes a person with impaired capacity.
The term “person with impaired capacity” is defined in Sch 5 to the Supreme
Court Act 1991 (Qld) to mean, relevantly “a person who is not capable of
making the decisions required of a litigant for conducting proceedings”;
(b) rr 93, 94 and 95 of the UCPR, which deal with the appointment of a litigation
guardian of a person under a legal incapacity; and
(c) the statutory scheme established by the GAA Act concerning the appointment
of guardians to manage the personal and financial affairs of adults with
impaired capacity.
[10] In Attorney-General for the State of Queensland v SLS,2 Williams J carefully analysed
the relevant provisions and the issues which arise for consideration in circumstances
such as these. It is not necessary for me to repeat that discussion. I adopt the
principles identified by Williams J and have applied those principles to the facts
relevant to the respondent in this proceeding.
Is the respondent a person with impaired capacity?
[11] In determining whether the respondent is a person with impaired capacity for the
purposes of r 72, I proceed on the following basis identified by Williams J:3
“… it is impossible to prescribe an assessment criterion that is to be
applied in respect of a person faced with proceedings under the DPSO
Act. Ultimately the assessment as to whether a specific individual is a
person with impaired capacity will depend on the specific facts of a
particular case, informed by the relevant enquiries identified. This is
also to be done keeping in mind the gravity of a proceeding under the
DPSO Act and the significant potential impacts on the liberty of the
individual concerned.
The general principles that can be identified require a consideration of
whether the respondent is not capable of making the decisions required
of a person responding to a DPSO Act proceeding. At the outset this
requires an understanding of the nature of the DPSO Act proceeding
and a consideration of issues such as whether the respondent:
(a) understands the nature of the application under the DPSO Act
and that if the respondent is found to be a serious danger to the
community the respondent may be subject to an order for
continuing detention or release subject to a supervision order.
(b) understands the nature of the decisions the respondent has to
make.
2 [2021] QSC 111. See also the decision of Williams J in Attorney-General for the State of Queensland
v FPN [2021] QSC 110.
3 Attorney-General for the State of Queensland v FPN [2021] QSC 110, [14]-[16].
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(c) understands the effect of the decisions the respondent has to
make.
(d) is capable of freely and voluntarily, and rationally, making
decisions about the matter.
(e) is capable of communicating decisions about the matter.
The decisions required of a person responding to a DPSO Act
proceeding are different than those of ‘ordinary’ civil proceedings,
particularly given that the liberty of the respondent is at stake. The
decisions required include, but are not limited to informed decisions
freely, voluntarily, and rationally made concerning:
(a) whether to engage a lawyer;
(b) whether to present evidence;
(c) the type of evidence to be presented;
(d) whether to cross-examine witnesses;
(e) what questions to ask in cross-examination;
(f) engagement with the real questions, including whether the
person poses a serious danger to the community, and if so, how
that risk should be met;
(g) risk mitigation strategies, including:
(i) identification of, and procurement if needed, of
accommodation and rehabilitation and treatment
programs;
(ii) identification of, and procurement if needed, of support
services (eg through NDIS);
(h) compliance with any requirement of a supervision order;
(i) what submissions to make;
(j) prospects for a potential appeal, and whether to initiate or
defend an appeal; and
(k) if subject to a continuing detention order, whether an
application to the Supreme Court for leave to initiate a review
should be made.”
[12] As part of the respondent’s care and management in custody, and in preparation for
the second annual review, the respondent was assessed by:
(a) Dr Adina Piovesana, psychologist;
(b) Dr Kieran Broome, occupational therapist;
(c) Dr Scott Harden, psychiatrist; and
(d) Dr Ken Arthur, psychiatrist.
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[13] Dr Piovesana interviewed the respondent in person over a period of two days and
performed psychological tests for the purpose of assessing his intellectual
functioning. The result of that assessment was expressed as follows:
“In order to assess [the respondent’s] current overall level of
intellectual ability, he was administered the WAIS-IV. As measured
by this test, [the respondent’s] estimated level of intellectual
functioning presently falls consistently within the Extremely Low
range (WAIS-IV Full Scale IQ = 63, 1 st percentile: General Ability
Index = 68, 2 nd percentile). All of [the respondent’s] WAIS-IV
Composite Scores fall within the Extremely Low to Very Low ranges
(VCI = 61, <1 st percentile; WMI = 58, <1 st percentile; PSI = 74, 4 th
percentile; PRI = 79, 8th percentile).
Based on his age, years of education (note: 9 years of education but
reports of learning difficulties, reading level assessed to be equivalent
to Grade 4 level) and history of unemployment in adulthood, [the
respondent’s] overall intellectual abilities were predicted to fall in the
Very Low range (TOPF predicted WAIS-IV FSIQ = 70, 2 nd percentile)
consistent with a developmental delay (PPVT5 = 73, 4 th percentile).
[The respondent’s] actual cognitive abilities (FSIQ = 63) are therefore
lower than expected but not unusually so (7-point difference occurring
in 30 percent of the population).
[The respondent’s] visual and processing speed abilities are at the
expected level. [The respondent’s] verbal abilities are significantly
lower than expected, but not unusually so, consistent with likely pre-
existing language/reading delays (VCI<Predicted VCI = 15-point
occurring in 12 percent of the population). [The respondent’s]
attentional skills are unusually below expected (WMI<Predicted WMI
= 20-point occurring in 4% of the population).
[14] Dr Piovesana summarised her assessment of the respondent:
[The respondent’s] overall level of intellectual functioning fell within
the Extremely Low range. While his abilities are exceeded by 99
percent of the general population, he is performing at the level
expected for someone who has a history of poor educational
attainment/performance and limited employment history. [The
respondent’s] overall verbal and attentional abilities fell within the
Extremely Low range while his speeded capabilities and visual
abilities fell within the Very Low range. His visual abilities are at the
expected level. His capacity to attend and concentrate on verbal
information is considered significantly and abnormally lower than
expected. His verbal abilities are significantly lower but not
considered clinically unusual. Although he performed within the Very
Low to Extremely Low ranges with respect to his word knowledge,
receptive and expressive language, and verbal comprehension skills,
these are most likely lifelong in nature and indicative of his
developmental delay and intellectual insufficiency in the language
area. [The respondent’s] capacity to read and comprehend language is
estimated at a Grade 4 level. [The respondent’s] memory and
executive functioning were unable to be assessed during the current
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assessment. No further comments can be made regarding his cognitive
functioning at this time.”
[15] Dr Broome assessed the respondent in person over approximately two hours. Based
on the assessments he conducted, Dr Broome formed the following opinions:
“[The respondent] demonstrates cognitive impairment that impact on
his ability to function in daily activities.
…
While he would be likely to be independent in simple daily activities
(such as undertaking an established cleaning routine or preparing a
basic snack) he is likely to require assistance with more complex tasks
requiring planning. These include, but are not limited to, budgeting,
weekly shopping, irregular cleaning tasks (e.g., remembering to take
bins out without prompting, cleaning windows), paying bills,
arranging transportation, catching public transport, travelling to
unfamiliar places, attending and responding to new health concerns,
or responding adequately to new situations that arise (e.g., sickness,
changes in processes). These limitations reflect his cognitive
capacities.
…
He has very limited ability to plan for the future or independently
adapt to change. He would require a high level of support in managing
his accommodation and financial affairs, and making decisions around
his future.
…
Given his strong emotional reaction to discussion around prison-based
rehabilitation programs, the primary barrier to his participation in
these programs is likely to be emotional. However, due to his
cognitive level, he is unlikely to have sufficient planning ability to
weigh medium term emotional pain of program participation against
an abstract concept of release.
[The respondent] has difficulty processing and interpreting
information that he receives. He also demonstrates difficulties with
planning. If completing a rehabilitation program, he would not be able
to independently set goals, and would require assistance. It is likely
that he would experience little benefit from a group-based program.
Given difficulties with processing narrative stories, he is unlikely to
achieve vicarious learning from others to a significant degree. …
Given indications of cognitive impairment, application to the NDIS
may be warranted.”
[16] Both Dr Arthur and Dr Harden diagnosed the respondent as suffering from
Paedophilia (non-exclusive, attracted to males and females), Antisocial Personality
Disorder, Alcohol Misuse Disorder (in remission due to incarceration) and
Intellectual Impairment.
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[17] On the question of the respondent’s capacity, Dr Harden expressed the following
opinion:4
“Opinion on Ability to engage as a litigant
Whether to engage a lawyer;
Whether to present evidence;
The type of evidence to be presented;
Whether to cross-examine witnesses;
What questions to ask in cross-examination;
What submissions to make; and
Considering whether to initiate or defend an appeal.
Based on my interview in 2019 which did not address [sic] directly
address the question/s but provided general illumination of his level of
cognitive function and engagement and the now available formal
testing it is my opinion that he is not capable of making decisions
regarding any of the above listed functions. As I understand it he is
therefore a person of impaired capacity in this regard or a person under
a legal incapacity.”
[18] Dr Arthur addressed those questions as follows:
“SUMMARY
10. It is difficult to form a firm opinion on the matters in question
for the following reasons –
(a) [The respondent] has not complied with risk assessments
and as such, I have not had the opportunity to perform a
clinical assessment of his cognition, understanding of the
DP(SO)A process/legislation or his capacity to comply
with a supervision order.
(b) Whilst [the respondent] did cooperate with the
neuropsychological assessment earlier this year, this was
incomplete and at that time no formal assessment of
capacity was made.
(c) Based on the IOMS documentation, it is difficult to
determine whether [the respondent’s] non-cooperation
reflects his lack of understanding of the processes or
alternatively a conscious decision not to cooperate with
the assessment process due to his anti-system attitudes
and ambivalence.
11. However, on review of the material I would note the following
–
4 Emphasis in original.
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• When I attempted to assess him in 2021 he had refused to
engage and expressed mistrust regarding the DP(SO)A
process. At that time he had been periodically non-
compliant with medical management, the reasons for
which were unclear which may have indicated impaired
judgement or lack of appreciation for the need for such
treatment.
• Whilst [the respondent] indicated that he expected to
remain in jail until he died, it was not clear whether this
was his choice or that he simply did not understand the
DP(SO)A legislation and what was expected of him.
• When he refused to comply with an assessment in
September 2022, I was informed that he had complained
about being asked too many questions, which distressed
him. At that time he was indifferent to being released from
jail.
• Despite suffering from numerous medical comorbidities,
he continued to intermittently refuse to attend specialist
medical appointments.
• I was unable to comment on whether his mistrust, lack of
cooperation was based on poor comprehension or rather
an expression of his anti-system/antiauthoritarian
attitudes. I was concerned that if released to the
community there would be a significant risk of non-
compliance. At that time I recommended a formal
assessment of his intellectual capacities in relation to
receptive and expressive language skills, comprehension
and memory, without which I was unable to formulate a
meaningful relapse prevention plan.
• When assessed by Dr Kieran Broome in February 2023
screening tests identified problems with mathematical
tasks related to money and slow cognitive processing
speed. It was opined that [the respondent] had limited
awareness of his impairments and would require proactive
support as he was unlikely to recognise the need for help
or to ask for it.
• When assessed by Dr Piovesana in February 2023 he was
disinterested in legal matters and could not tell her the
name of his lawyer. She estimated his full scale IQ to be
63, in the extremely low range. There were significant
impairments in verbal and attentional abilities, processing
speed and in his capacity to concentrate on verbal
information. His ability to read and comprehend language
was at a grade 4 level. Unfortunately, his memory and
executive functioning were unable to be assessed.
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• He has refused to attend a diabetic clinic and been
dismissive of the need for treatment. It appears that he was
diagnosed with a bladder carcinoma in 2013 but declined
treatment.
12. The above information suggests the presence of significant
cognitive impairment. Whilst [the respondent] does have a
number of medical conditions which could potentially impact
on his cognition, it is more likely than not that his impairment
is permanent but he may experience further deterioration in
functioning as a consequence of poor physical health. He
appears to have limited insight into his impairment such that he
is unlikely to seek out or accept help.
13. The cognitive issues identified, particularly those relating to
verbal and attentional abilities, are relevant to the question of
legal capacity.
OPINION ON CAPACITY
General issues
14. There is no evidence to suggest that [the respondent] does not
have the capacity to freely and voluntarily make decisions in
relation to the proceedings. However, there is a question as to
his capacity to make rational decisions, given the uncertainty
around his comprehension of the relevant matters and his level
of insight in regard to his own cognitive limitations. He has not
always made rational decisions about his health care.
Whether to engage a lawyer
15. It is not clear whether [the respondent] has the capacity to make
a decision on this matter. He was legally represented in two
previous hearings. His reported lack of interest in legal
proceedings does not necessarily reflect a lack of capacity in
this regard.
Whether to present evidence and the type of evidence to be
presented
16. I have insufficient information to form a conclusion on this
question.
Whether to cross-examine witnesses and what questions to ask in
cross-examination
17. Given concerns around his comprehension of DP(SO)A
matters, the concept of risk and the ‘real issues’ around the need
for risk management and for cooperation with supervision, it is
likely that his capacity to make rational decisions about this
matter is impaired.
What submissions to make
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18. I have insufficient evidence to form a clear opinion on this
matter. However, I noted in previous reports that it is
questionable whether [the respondent] comprehends the risk
assessment process or appreciates his level of risk. As such, on
the balance of probabilities I think that his capacity to make
rational decisions on this matter is impaired.
Considering whether to initiate or defend an appeal
19. Given concerns around his comprehension of the ‘real issues’
around the need for risk management and for cooperation with
supervision, it is likely that his capacity to make a rational
decision about this is impaired.”
[19] Dr Harden gave the following further oral evidence:
(a) a person with the respondent’s IQ score of 63 is likely to have significant
impairment in his ability to do more complex cognitive activities and to
struggle with complex decisions;5
(b) the respondent’s intellectual disability is accompanied by speech and language
which is worse than his overall intellectual disability;6
(c) the respondent’s impairment is affected by elements of culture and personality
factors – such as shame, avoidance of communication about difficult topics and
a tendency to withdraw when faced with difficult situations or questions – but
the majority of that impairment is related to his cognitive disability;7
(d) a requirement to consider expert evidence and make decisions based on that
evidence would come within the category of complex decision which the
respondent lacks the capacity to undertake.8
[20] Dr Arthur also gave oral evidence as follows:
(a) the respondent’s attentional difficulties, verbal difficulties, verbal memory and
processing speed – as identified and measured by Dr Piovesana – are very
relevant to the question of his capacity;9
(b) a person with very poor verbal comprehension, verbal memory, processing
speed, attention and concentration is likely to have difficulty taking on board
something that is said during evidence in the proceeding, making sense of it
and retaining the information. The respondent’s low level of education and
low level of literacy, as well as cultural and personality factors, also impacts
his interactions with his legal representatives;10
(c) the evidence suggests that the respondent’s ability to make a rational decision
– to be able to think about information and the available choices and to make
5 Transcript 1-5:44 to 1-6:13.
6 Transcript 1-8:4-14.
7 Transcript 1-9:16-26.
8 Transcript 1-11:43 to 1-12:12.
9 Transcript 1-16:6-13.
10 Transcript 1-17:6-32.
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the right decision for him – is impaired and his ability to be able to identify
when he is not able to make a rational decision is also impaired;11
(d) it would be very difficult for the respondent to have any sort of opinion on what
questions in cross-examination of witnesses might be relevant to his interests
because the concept of risk raised in the review under the DPSO Act is an
abstract concept which is difficult to understand and the evidence suggests that
the respondent does not comprehend a lot of what is said to him and may not
retain what he does understand;12
(e) the choices that the respondent has made suggest that he doesn’t really
understand the risk assessment process and what is at stake.13
[21] Although the respondent was present during the hearing by video link he did not
engage in the hearing in any way. For much of the time he did not appear to have
any interest in following what was being said in the courtroom. Dr Arthur stated in
his oral evidence that his observation of the respondent during the course of the
hearing was consistent with him having withdrawn for the most part from the risk
assessment process.14
[22] I accept the evidence set out above and, on the basis of that evidence, I am satisfied
that the respondent has a degree of impaired capacity that is sufficient to engage r 72
of the UCPR.
[23] The question then becomes how the second annual review should proceed in light of
this conclusion.
Is the appointment of a litigation guardian under the UCPR appropriate?
[24] As Williams J found in Attorney-General for the State of Queensland v SLS, this court
has the power to appoint a litigation guardian if a person has impaired capacity.
However, I must also consider whether that is the appropriate course in the present
circumstances.
[25] It was common ground at the hearing that there is no person who is prepared to act as
a litigation guardian. Legal Aid is unable to fulfil that role and the Public Guardian
is not prepared to be appointed to that role under r 72. Nor has any individual been
identified who would be prepared to take on the role.
[26] In any event, a litigation guardian may not be appropriate to be able to deal with all
of the personal matters that may arise in this DPSO Act proceeding.
[27] Dr Harden gave oral evidence that the respondent is significantly impaired with
regard to personal matters relating to choice of accommodation, obtaining
accommodation, payment of rent, applying to the National Disability Insurance
Scheme for funding or managing his finances.15 Dr Arthur gave similar evidence.16
11 Transcript 1-18:7-23.
12 Transcript 1-19:16-34; 1-20:17-23.
13 Transcript 1-21:11-13.
14 Transcript 1-20:41 to 1-21:5.
15 Transcript 1-8:21-45.
16 Transcript 1-20:25-39; 1-21:22 to 1-22:4.
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[28] Decisions about such mattes are relevant to the risk assessment exercise to be
undertaken in the DPSO Act proceeding. The respondent’s interests require that
consideration be given to decisions to be made concerning the legal aspects of the
proceeding, but also the wider issues that might be relevant to mitigation of the risk
if the respondent were to be released from custody.
[29] For these reasons, I did not consider the appointment by the court of a litigation
guardian under the UCPR to be appropriate in the circumstances of this proceeding.
Referral of issue of capacity to QCAT
[30] As Williams J found in Attorney-General for the State of Queensland v SLS:
(a) consideration by QCAT of the appropriateness of a declaration as to capacity
and an appointment of a guardian in circumstances such as these is an option
which is consistent with the objects and purposes of the GAA Act and the
powers and functions of QCAT under that legislation;
(b) this court has power to refer the question of the respondent’s capacity to
respond to the DPSO Act proceeding to QCAT.
[31] During the course of the hearing the applicant referred to the fact that no one had been
able to find out from the respondent whether or not he would want a guardian
appointed. Ms Smith advised that the respondent had been asked directly whether or
not he would consent to the referral to QCAT but he had not provided a response to
that question.
[32] In the circumstances I was satisfied that it is appropriate, and in the respondent’s best
interests, to exercise the power to refer the question of the respondent’s capacity to
respond to the DPSO Act proceeding to QCAT to be determined in accordance with
the GAA Act.
[33] In addition to making that order, I directed that the Registrar of the Supreme Court
provide to the Registrar of QCAT a copy of the following relevant material:
(a) a copy of these reasons;
(b) a copy of the transcript from the hearing on 13 June 2023; and
(c) a copy of the following documents from Supreme Court file BS No 10345 of
2019:
(i) Affidavit of Amanda McLean filed 17 November 2021;17
(ii) Affidavit of Kenneth Arthur filed 13 January 2023;18
(iii) Affidavit of Scott Harden filed 18 January 2023;19
(iv) Affidavit of Nicholas Palmer filed 2 June 2023;20 and
17 Court document number 35.
18 Court document number 47.
19 Court document number 48.
20 Court document number 55.
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(v) Affidavit of Amanda McLean filed 13 June 2023.21
[34] I further directed that:
(a) the application for the second annual review pursuant to Part 3 of the DPSO
Act be listed for review on 17 August 2023 at 9:15 am.
(b) the Registrar of the Supreme Court obtain an update from the Registrar of
QCAT as to the progress of the referral by 4 pm on 10 August 2023.
[35] That process is consistent with the approach taken by Williams J in Attorney-General
for the State of Queensland v SLS and Attorney-General for the State of Queensland
v FPN. I otherwise adopt what her Honour said in those decisions about the future
progress of the hearing of the review application.
21 Court document number 58.
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Official source: https://www.sclqld.org.au/caselaw/QSC/2023/131