Dubois v Rockhampton Regional Council [2014] QCA 215 (2014) 203 LGERA 117; [2015] QPELR 77
SUPREME COURT OF QUEENSLAND
CITATION: Dubois v Rockhampton Regional Council [2014] QCA 215
PARTIES: JOHN WILLIAM DEMPSTER DUBOIS
(applicant)
v
ROCKHAMPTON REGIONAL COUNCIL
(respondent)
FILE NO/S: Appeal No 3277 of 2014
P & E Appeal No 87 of 2013
DIVISION: Court of Appeal
PROCEEDING: Application for Leave Sustainable Planning Act
ORIGINATING
COURT: Planning and Environment Court at Rockhampton
DELIVERED ON: 29 August 2014
DELIVERED AT: Brisbane
HEARING DATE: 18 August 2014
JUDGES: Muir and Gotterson JJA and Ann Lyons J
Separate reasons for judgment of each member of the Court,
each concurring as to the orders made
ORDERS: Amend the order at first instance by inserting the
following paragraph 2A:
“If the Planning and Environment Court is satisfied
that any of the terms of the order of 11 June 1999
were breached by the Respondent after 3 April 2014
and prior to the expiration of the three months term
of the sentence the Planning and Environment Court
may order the Respondent to serve the whole or part
of the suspended imprisonment.”
Vary paragraph 3 of such order by deleting “7 April
2014” and inserting in lieu thereof “29 August 2014”.
Otherwise order that:
1. The application for leave to appeal be allowed.
2. The appeal be dismissed.
3. The applicant pay the respondent’s costs of and
incidental to the appeal.
CATCHWORDS: APPEAL AND NEW TRIAL – APPEAL – GENERAL
PRINCIPLES – RIGHT OF APPEAL – WHEN APPEAL
LIES – ERROR OF LAW – WHAT IS – GENERALLY –
where the applicant seeks leave to appeal under s 498 of the
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Sustainable Planning Act 2009 (Qld) against his conviction
for contempt of court – where the applicant carried on a
motor garage business on the subject land servicing a variety
of vehicles from a workshop – where in 1999 an order was
made that delineated the boundaries of the existing lawful
non conforming use – where the 1999 order required the
applicant to move a vehicle hoist and associated equipment
from an area of the land to inside the workshop within seven
days – where the primary judge held that the applicant
knowingly and without lawful excuse failed to comply with
the 1999 order – whether the primary judge erred in holding
that the certain activities done to the applicant’s own utility
vehicle, trucks and tractors in a prescribed area of the land
were not permitted as a residential use of the land
PROCEDURE – CONTEMPT, ATTACHMENT AND
SEQUESTRATION – POWER OF COURT TO PUNISH
FOR CONTEMPT – SUPREME COURT – IN RESPECT
OF CONTEMPT OF INFERIOR COURT OR TRIBUNAL –
where it was submitted by the applicant that the primary
judge erred in that the sentence was manifestly excessive –
where the applicant submitted the primary judge failed to
take into account a number of relevant considerations when
sentencing – where the sentence imposed on the applicant
was three months imprisonment suspended after one month –
whether the primary judge failed to adequately take the
applicant’s apology into account – whether the primary judge
should have taken the applicant’s period of compliance
before he breached the 1999 order into consideration –
whether the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992 (Qld) has
a general application to contempt orders – whether the
sentence was manifestly excessive
District Court of Queensland Act 1967 (Qld), s 129
Integrated Planning Act 1997 (Qld)
Penalties and Sentences Act 1992 (Qld), s 9(2), s 143, s 144,
s 146, s 152, s 163
Planning and Environment Court Rules 2010 (Qld), r 6
Supreme Court of Queensland Act 1991 (Qld), s 85, Sch 1
Sustainable Planning Act 2009 (Qld), s 439, s 457, s 481,
s 498, s 945
Sustainable Planning and Other Legislation Amendment Act
(No 2) 2012 (Qld), s 61
Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999 (Qld), r 926(2), r 930,
r 931
Australasian Meat Industry Employees’ Union v Mudginberri
Station Pty Ltd (1986) 161 CLR 98; [1986] HCA 46, applied
Bakir v Doueihi [2002] QSC 19, cited
Booth v Yardley [2009] QPLR 299; [2008] QPEC 100,
considered
Cheney v Spooner (1929) 41 CLR 532; [1929] HCA 12,
considered
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3
Chesser v Morris [1959] VR 307; [1959] VicRp 51, cited
City Hall Albury Wodonga Pty Ltd v Chicago Investments Pty Ltd
[2006] QSC 31, considered
Drew v Makita (Australia) Pty Ltd [2009] 2 Qd R 219; [2009]
QCA 66, distinguished
Evenco Pty Ltd v Australian Building Construction Employees
and Builders Labourers Federation (Qld Branch) [2001]
2 Qd R 118; [2000] QCA 108, cited
Formal Wear Express Franchising Pty Ltd v Roach [2004]
QCA 339, distinguished
Franconi v Shire of Perth [1965] WAR 37; (1965)
11 LGRA 380, cited
Hall v Nominal Defendant (1966) 117 CLR 423; [1966] HCA 36,
followed
O’Connor v Witness G [2013] QSC 281, followed
Purtill v Landfix Pty Ltd [2004] QPEC 67, cited
Re Colina; Ex parte Torney (1999) 200 CLR 386; [1999]
HCA 57, considered
Rockhampton Regional Council v Dubois [2014] QPEC 13,
considered
Shergold v Tanner (2002) 209 CLR 126; [2002] HCA 19, cited
Soulemezis v Dudley (Holdings) Pty Ltd (1987) 10 NSWLR 247,
considered
Strbak v Newton (unreported, New South Wales Court of
Appeal, Gleeson CJ, Samuels and Priestley JJA, 18 July 1989),
considered
Warringah Shire Council v Raffles [1979] 2 NSWLR 299;
(1978) 38 LGRA 306, distinguished
COUNSEL: C McGrath for the applicant
M Hinson QC, with S M Ure, for the respondent
SOLICITORS: CQ Legal for the applicant
King and Company for the respondent
[1] MUIR JA: Introduction The applicant seeks leave to appeal under s 498 of the
Sustainable Planning Act 2009 (Qld) (the SPA) against his conviction on 3 April
2014 for contempt of court and the sentence imposed on him of three months
imprisonment suspended after one month.
The features of the subject land
[2] The applicant, at relevant times, carried on a motor garage business on the subject
land servicing a variety of vehicles from a workshop. The workshop is located in
the north-western corner of the land, the northern boundary of which abuts Paterson
Avenue. The applicant’s dwelling house is in the southern-central section of the
land. The primary judge described the uses to which other parts of the land were
put as follows:1
“In the north-eastern corner is a driveway area allowing access from
Paterson Avenue. This area is divided into a northern section, known
1 Rockhampton Regional Council v Dubois [2014] QPEC 13 at [7].
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as ‘Area B’, and a southern section, known as ‘Area A’. In the
southwestern corner is a driveway area allowing access from Rhodes
Street. This area is known as ‘Area C’.” (footnotes omitted)
[3] Area B is bounded in the west by the workshop, in the north by Paterson Avenue
and in the south by Area A, which is approximately identical to area B in size and
shape (8m by 8m). Area C extends from Rhodes Street to the workshop which is in
the north-west corner of the land.
The history of litigation in respect of the use of the land
[4] The history of litigation in respect of the applicant’s use of the land is conveniently
recorded as follows in the primary judge’s reasons:2
“1996 Order
[8] In 1995 the Council applied to the Court to close down
Koongal Motors for noncompliance with the [Rockhampton
City Plan]. On 7 June 1996 Nase DCJ declined to close down
the business but made an order defining the extent of the lawful
nonconforming use of the Land by the Respondent (‘1996
Order’).
1997 – First Conviction for Contempt of Court
[9] In 1997 the Respondent was convicted in the Rockhampton
Magistrates Court for contempt for contravening the 1996
Order. He was fined $1,000.00 and ordered to pay court costs
of $49.95 and the Council‘s legal costs of $3,000.00.
1999 Order
[10] As can be seen from Annexure A, the 1999 Order delineated
the boundaries of the existing lawful non conforming use and
Order 2 of the 1999 Order required the Respondent to move the
vehicle hoist and associated equipment (‘Hoist’) from Area C
to inside the Workshop within seven days.
[11] Initially the Respondent complied with Order 2 by relocating
the Hoist inside the Workshop within seven days.
2001 – Second Conviction for Contempt of Court
[12] In 2001 the Respondent was convicted for contempt of the
1999 Order for using Area B for repair work. He was fined
$1,500.00 and was ordered to cease carrying out the
environmentally relevant activity.
Subsequent Events
[13] Sometime in 2010 the Respondent returned the Hoist to Area C.
2 Rockhampton Regional Council v Dubois [2014] QPEC 13 at 4–5.
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[14] On 19 September 2013 the Council filed the present
Application particularising the breach of the 1999 Order in
these terms:–
(a) the Respondent failed to remove the Hoist located in
Area C over various dates from 22 October 2010 to
9 May 2013; and
(b) the Respondent carried out mechanical repairs to
vehicles in areas not permitted by the 1999 Order.
[15] On 15 December 2013, after being served with the Application,
the Respondent removed the Hoist.” (citations omitted)
Evidence of the applicant’s use of the land
[5] The primary judge’s findings of breach of paragraph 3 of the 1999 Order are much
narrower than the evidence would support. The affidavit of Judith Noland deposes
to the use of Area C for the purpose of mechanical work on a variety of vehicles,
apart from the applicant’s work utility, at different times.
[6] Ms Noland swore that she witnessed the presence of the hoist in Area C on
18 occasions between 22 October 2010 and 9 May 2013 inclusive. She stated that
she saw a white sedan on the hoist on 10 of those days. She later observed the
white sedan parked on the lowered hoist on six separate days.
[7] Other relevant observations made by Ms Noland of things or activities on Area C
were:
the applicant was “at the engine” of his utility on 27 August 2012; and
the applicant was seen by her on 19 April 2013 leaning over the engine of a blue
all-wheel drive vehicle with its bonnet up. He appeared to be doing mechanical
work.
[8] Ms Noland also gave evidence of admissions made by the applicant. She said that
on 14 June 2012 at a meeting at the City Hall he had admitted that he “had
undertaken work in [Area C] for years” and that he “worked all over the site”. He
also said that the Court rulings were irrelevant because the respondent had misled
the Court, he did not argue with the Court order and was not restricted by it.
[9] Ms Elsie Larkins, an immediate neighbour of the applicant, stated that work was
often carried out on the white Mack prime mover and another Mack prime mover on
Area C. She said that she saw the applicant doing mechanical work on the white
Mack prime mover on 28 April 2013 and 10 May 2013. The applicant said, in
relation to the 28 April 2013 work:
“The white Mack prime mover belongs to me. It is necessary to
lower the ‘[bullbar]’, so that the bonnet can be lifted to do routine
fluid checks and I would not class this as mechanical work.”
[10] The applicant gave a similar explanation in respect of work on the Mack prime
mover on 10 May 2013.
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[11] Mr Leslie Wilson, a retired truck driver and neighbour of the applicant, stated that
he saw the applicant’s white Mack truck arrive at the land on 28 April 2013 and
park on Area C. On 29 April, he observed the applicant leaning into the engine area
of the truck which had its bonnet raised. It was still located on Area C.
The declaration and orders of 11 June 1999
[12] Judge Britton declared on 11 June 1999 that the existing lawful use of the land was:
“1. …
(a) the carrying out of mechanical repairs to motor vehicles (other
than panel beating or spray painting) within the existing
workshop constructed pursuant to building approvals 32535 and
36219 and shown as “EXISTING WORKSHOP” outlined in
green on the plan attached hereto and marked as “Annexure 1”
and the hoist area as shown on that plan outlined in red and
marked with the letter “A”.
The carrying out of mechanical repairs referred to in (a)
supra includes welding or grinding ancillary to and
subservient to the carrying out of those repairs but does
not include welding or grinding for the purposes of
motor body building, motor body repairs, coach work or
metal fabrication.
(b) The use of the fuel tank and bowser on the land to supply fuel
to motor cars at the time they are being serviced and for no
other use.
(c) The use of the land outlined in blue and marked with the letter
“B” for the purpose of supplying such fuel to such motor
vehicles or for the purpose of obtaining access to the existing
workshop and area “A” or the parking of motor vehicles
awaiting access to the existing workshop or area “A” and for no
other purpose.”
[13] It was ordered by consent:
“2. That within seven (7) days of the date [of the order] the
[applicant] remove the hoist and associated equipment located
outside the south-western corner of the existing workshop and
depicted in the copy photograph annexed hereto [to the order]
and marked as ‘Annexure 3’.
3. That the [applicant] do forthwith cease using the land for any
purpose other than:–
(a) the existing lawful non-conforming use as declared by the
Court in this Order; and
(b) a use permitted in the Residential A zone pursuant to the
transitional Planning Scheme for the City of Rockhampton; and
(c) in Area C on Annexure 1 for gaining access to the existing
workshop as described herein.”
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The primary judge’s findings of breach of the 1999 Orders
[14] The primary judge held that the applicant knowingly and without lawful excuse
failed to comply with order 2 on the 18 occasions particularised by the respondent.3
That finding, which related to the 18 occasions on which Ms Noland saw the hoist
on Area C, was not challenged on appeal.
[15] The primary judge stated in respect of order 3 that he was satisfied beyond
reasonable doubt that Area C had been continually used by the applicant for
purposes other than those permitted by the 1999 Order. He held, in particular, that
the applicant had undertaken the following activities in Area C:4
“1. lifting the bonnet of a vehicle;
2. checking the engine of a vehicle;
3. checking the water of a vehicle;
4. checking the oil of a vehicle; and
5. lowering the [bullbar] on a vehicle.”
[16] His Honour held:5
“These activities have been undertaken on vehicles owned by the
[applicant] for a business use and a vehicle owned by a customer of
his business. None of the activities undertaken can be considered
residential use or ‘access’.”
Ground 3 – The primary judge erred in holding that the following activities
done to the applicant’s own utility vehicle, trucks and/or tractors in Area C
were not permitted as a residential use of the land: lifting the bonnet of a
vehicle; checking the engine of a vehicle; checking the water of a vehicle;
checking the oil of a vehicle; and lowering the bullbar on a vehicle
[17] It is now convenient to consider the grounds in the notice of appeal commencing
with ground 3.
The applicant’s submissions
[18] The applicant submitted that “merely inspecting vehicles in Area ‘C’” is a use
“incidental to and necessarily associated with the use of the premises” for
mechanical repairs to motor vehicles and access to the workshop, as “use” was
defined under the Integrated Planning Act 1997 (Qld) (repealed) (the IPA) when the
1999 Orders were made and is currently defined under the SPA. It was further
submitted that inspection and basic maintenance checks on the applicant’s own
vehicles, regardless of whether they were utilities, prime movers or tractors, are part
of the normal residential use of the land and that the primary judge erred in holding
the contrary. In that regard, it was submitted that if the primary judge’s
interpretation of the Interim Town Planning Scheme for the City of Rockhampton
(the Planning Scheme) is correct, any taxi driver living in the residential A zone in
Rockhampton who parked his taxi on his property and lifted the bonnet to check the
engine, water or oil would commit an unauthorised “use” under the SPA.
3 Rockhampton Regional Council v Dubois [2014] QPEC 13 at [44].
4 Rockhampton Regional Council v Dubois [2014] QPEC 13 at [62].
5 Rockhampton Regional Council v Dubois [2014] QPEC 13 at [62].
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[19] Another submission related to the evidence of Ms Noland that on 19 April 2013 she
saw a blue all-wheel drive vehicle parked in Area C with its bonnet up and observed
the applicant, who had been leaning over the engine of the vehicle, wipe his hands
on a rag. Ms Noland, who photographed the vehicle, said that it appeared that the
applicant was undertaking mechanical work.
[20] The applicant swore that the vehicle had been parked where Ms Noland saw it by
the customer who delivered it for repairs. He said that the “bonnet was lifted so that
the owner could provide [him] with instructions” in regard to the problem and that
the vehicle was not parked in that position for long before being moved to Area A
and placed on the hoist.
[21] In these circumstances it was submitted that Area C was used for the purpose of
gaining access to the workshop.
[22] The parking of the applicant’s utility on Area C was submitted to be “a use
permitted in the Residential A zone pursuant to the [Planning Scheme]”. That
scheme provided in Division 11 of Part 5:
“No person shall on land within the Residential ‘A’ zone … park a
commercial or industrial vehicle exceeding two (2) tonnes tare
weight or exceeding two point five metres in height unless it is
housed in a Class I or Class X building … and approved by Council.”
[23] There was no evidence of the weight of the utility but counsel for the applicant
proceeded on the basis that it weighed less than two tonnes. There was no
submission to the contrary.
Consideration
[24] The vehicles referred to in paragraph [62] of the reasons, quoted in part in paragraph
[15] hereof, were: a white utility; a white Mack prime mover owned by the
applicant and used by him for carting fertiliser; and a blue all-wheel drive vehicle
owned by a customer. The white utility, which was a small truck of the kind
commonly used by tradesmen, was said by the applicant to be his own workshop
vehicle.6
[25] The keeping of business vehicles on a parcel of residential “A” land would not
normally be regarded as a residential use of the land. In Warringah Shire Council
v Raffles,7 Waddell J relevantly observed:
“Where land is used for the purpose of a dwelling-house, the use of
some part of that land for some means of private transport seems to
me necessarily to be use of the land for the purpose of a dwelling-
house. The very idea of a dwelling-house presupposes that the
occupants may have some means of private transport kept at hand to
travel from the dwelling-house to their places of work, shops, social
occasions, and other places.”
[26] His Honour had earlier referred to cases in which it was held that the parking on the
defendant’s residential land of trucks used in the defendant’s business was a use for
business purposes.8
6 Rockhampton Regional Council v Dubois [2014] QPEC 13 at [59].
7 [1979] 2 NSWLR 299 at 303.
8 Chesser v Morris [1959] VR 307; Franconi v Shire of Perth [1965] WAR 37.
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[27] There was no suggestion that the utility was used for private transportation
purposes.
[28] The breaches of order 3 of the 1999 Order did not allege merely that the applicant
was using area C for a use other than “a use permitted in the residential A zone
pursuant to the [Planning Scheme]”. The allegations of breach were more confined.
The breaches particularised in the respondent’s application were the undertaking of
“mechanical repairs … on a number of vehicles, including prime movers in area C
… and on the balance of the residential land”.
[29] Six instances of alleged “mechanical work” on a white prime mover, a tractor,
a white utility and a blue all-wheel drive vehicle were then particularised. The
seventh particular was of the applicant having been “seen working on a white Mack
prime mover in area C”.
[30] The application concluded with the following paragraph:
“The conduct of mechanical work to a prime mover or other vehicle
is not a use permitted in the Residential A Zone pursuant to the
Transitional Planning Scheme for Rockhampton City 2002 nor in the
Lakes Creek Residential Area Zone pursuant to the Rockhampton
City Plan 2005, and is not otherwise lawful”.
[31] The application could have been more carefully expressed. Although the
introductory words of the particulars refer to the undertaking of “mechanical
repairs”, six instances of breach particularised are of “mechanical work”. The
seventh merely alleges that the applicant was “working on” a white Mack truck.
Paragraph 8 picks up the wording of paragraph 3(b) of the 1999 Order, stating that
the conduct of mechanical work to a prime mover or other vehicle is not a use
permitted in a residential “A” zone pursuant to the Planning Scheme.
[32] It is clear that the breaches of the order alleged are not confined in meaning to
mechanical repairs and extend to “mechanical work”. The contrary was not
suggested at first instance or on appeal. Moreover, particulars (i) to (vii) inclusive
in the application were supported by written evidence that precisely identified the
evidence on which the respondent intended to rely. In that sense, the evidence
further particularised the respondent’s allegations of breach of the 1999 Order.
[33] The primary judge was right, with respect, to find that the work set out in paragraph
[15] above was not within the scope of that permitted by paragraph 3 of the 1999 Order.
[34] In order to establish breaches of order 3, the respondent needed to show that the
conduct on which it relied was not a use permitted in the residential A zone
pursuant to the Planning Scheme (residential use) and that it was not a use of
Area C for the purpose of gaining access to the workshop.
[35] It was not a permitted use of Area C to bring onto it the white prime mover or a
customer’s vehicle for any purpose other than access to the workshop. The
applicant’s actions in relation to those vehicles, as described in paragraph [62] of
the reasons, constituted mechanical work. The work pertained to machines and, as
has been mentioned, was further particularised.
[36] It was not suggested that the prime mover was on Area C for the purposes of
accessing the workshop. The evidence was that the prime mover was used in
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a carting business. Its maintenance, even if limited in the way described by the
applicant, could not be regarded as integral with or incidental to the residential use
of the land. There was nothing of a residential flavour about the use of Area C at
relevant times. Photographs and the evidence of Ms Noland show that it was
normally the repository of a variety of commercial and industrial vehicles, as well
as assorted pieces of machinery. She stated that she had observed that some of
these vehicles, including prime movers, had been on Area C for years. These
matters are relevant to the determination of whether the activities in relation to the
prime mover, utility and all-wheel drive vehicle amounted to residential use.
[37] Clause 2(1) of Division 2 of Part 5 of the Planning Scheme, quoted above, supports
the conclusion that the mechanical work particularised was not a residential use or
integral with or incidental to a residential use. The primary judge found that the
applicant’s evidence was not to be believed. That finding was not challenged.
Consequently, the evidence of the applicant as to the nature and extent of his work
on and in relation to the vehicles on Area C may be disregarded for present purposes.
[38] The evidence in relation to the blue all-wheel drive vehicle that is set out in
paragraph [19] above is inconsistent with Area C being used for the purpose of
accessing the workshop. In order to determine whether Area C was used for the
purposes of access, it is necessary to consider the circumstances in which the use is
said to have occurred. In this case, Ms Noland observed the things described in
paragraph [19], the applicant moving away from the vehicle after seeing her and the
presence, it may be inferred, of no other person. The primary judge was entitled, on
that evidence, to conclude that Area C was not being used for the purpose of gaining
access to the workshop. No evidence accepted by the primary judge supports the
conclusion that the vehicle was on Area C as part of a continuum or process under
which it was left by the customer, subjected to visual inspection and taken into the
workshop. Whatever was being done in relation to the vehicle was not incidental to
and necessarily associated with the use of Area C for the purpose of gaining access
to the workshop.
[39] As for the utility, Ms Noland saw the applicant at its engine. It appeared that he
was working on it. There were a number of items, including a red bucket, on the
driveway in front of it. The applicant immediately moved away from the vehicle
when he noticed the presence of Ms Noland.
[40] The applicant sought to draw support for the conclusion that the conduct just
described was incidental to residential use from cl 2(1) of Division 11 of Part 5 of
the Planning Scheme which does not prohibit the parking of commercial or
industrial vehicles not exceeding two tonnes tare weight on land zoned residential A.
However, cl 3(1) prohibits the carrying out of “any maintenance or repair work on
any commercial or industrial vehicle …” on such land without the consent of the
Council. As observed earlier, at relevant times there was nothing of a residential
flavour about the use of Area C. What the evidence disclosed was the carrying out
of maintenance work on a work vehicle on a laneway to a motor repair workshop
which served as a repository for other vehicles and machinery.
[41] It may well be the case, as counsel for the applicant submitted, that the mere
inspection by a taxi driver of his taxi parked in the driveway of his home for oil and
water levels would be an incident of domestic use. That is not this case. In addition
to other considerations mentioned above, the utility was used in a business
conducted on and from the land. It had no domestic use disclosed by the evidence.
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[42] Accordingly, the applicant has not identified any error in the primary judge’s
reasons in relation to his conviction. In any event, the challenges to the primary
judge’s findings did not relate to the many breaches of order 2.
Appeal against sentence – Grounds 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9
The applicant’s contentions
[43] It was submitted by the applicant that the primary judge erred in that the sentence
was manifestly excessive and in failing to take into account a number of relevant
considerations. One such consideration was the applicant’s remorse demonstrated
by his apology to the Planning and Environment Court. Another was the applicant’s
compliance with the 1999 Order by removing the hoist and not replacing it on
Area C until “sometime in 2010”. That was submitted to be a mitigating factor
which the primary judge was required to take into account under s 9(2)(g) of the
Penalties and Sentences Act 1992 (Qld) (the PSA).
[44] It was contended that the primary judge also failed to take into account the totality
of the penalty imposed on the applicant, namely:
(a) three months imprisonment, suspended after one month;
(b) loss of income as a self-employed mechanic and truck driver during and
arising from the term of actual imprisonment;
(c) the effect on the applicant’s business of the recording of a conviction that was
required to be imposed by s 152 of the PSA if a sentence of imprisonment was
imposed; and
(d) indemnity costs likely to exceed $10,000.
[45] The failure to record a conviction as required by s 143 and s 152 of the PSA and the
failure to state an operational period for the suspended period of the sentence as
required by s 144(5) of the PSA were also submitted to be errors of law requiring
the conviction to be set aside.
Consideration
[46] The apology, such as it was, was proffered in an affidavit sworn by the applicant.
The affidavit relevantly stated:
“To the extent that I have contravened the Court’s 1999 orders
I apologise to the Court. I have made errors in the past with
complying with the Court’s orders but I will do my best to comply
with the Court’s orders in the future. I ask the Court to explain what
I can do in area ‘C’ so that I know what is allowed under the 1999
orders for providing access to my workshop and as part of a normal
residential use of my land.”
[47] The mere fact that the primary judge did not specifically mention remorse, the
applicant’s apology and his belated compliance with the 1999 Orders by removal of
the hoist before returning it to Area C on a later date in his sentencing remarks did
not establish that the primary judge did not have regard to those matters. It is
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apparent from the sentencing remarks that he had regard to the principles in s 9(2)
of the PSA. His finding, plainly open on the evidence, that a further fine of $5,000
or more would do little to “discourage the [applicant] from continuing his
anarchistic conduct in ignoring the 1999 Order”9 necessarily implies that his
Honour concluded that the applicant was far from remorseful. So too does the
findings that the applicant’s “entire conduct regarding both contempt counts reflects
a contumelious disregard of the 1999 Order”.10 These findings, coupled with the
finding that the applicant was not to be believed made it abundantly plain that the
primary judge gave no credence to the applicant’s apology which was proffered
without admission of breach of the requirements of the 1999 Order.
[48] The applicant’s contention that the primary judge erred in failing to give adequate
reasons “regarding [his] consideration of the applicant’s remorse and apology for
the contempt” is ill founded.
[49] Counsel for the applicant relied on Drew v Makita (Australia) Pty Ltd,11 to support
his argument. It does not. I observed in that case that:
“[59] The extent to which a trial judge must expose his or her
reasoning for the conclusions reached will depend on the
nature of the issues for determination and ‘the function to be
served by the giving of reasons’. For that reason, what is
required has been expressed in a variety of ways. For
example, in Soulemezis v Dudley (Holdings) Pty Ltd,
Mahoney JA said:
‘… And, in my opinion, it will ordinarily be sufficient if –
to adapt the formula used in a different part of the law …
by his reasons the judge apprises the parties of the broad
outline and constituent facts of the reasoning on which he
has acted.’
[60] McHugh JA’s view was that reasons sufficient to meet the
above requirements do not need to be lengthy or elaborate but
‘… it is necessary that the essential ground or grounds upon
which the decision rests should be articulated’.
[70] In Strbak v Newton, Samuels JA said:
‘…What is necessary, it seems to me, is a basic explanation
of the fundamental reasons which led the judge to his
conclusion. There is no requirement, however, that reasons
must incorporate an extended intellectual dissertation upon
the chain of reasoning which authorises the judgment which
is given.’” (citations omitted)
[50] It seemed to be implicit in the arguments of counsel for the applicant that if a
question of remorse was relevant, a sentencing judge would err unless he or she
explicitly addressed the matter in the sentencing remarks. That is not a requirement
of sufficiency of reasons. The requirements, as expressed in the above passages
9 Rockhampton Regional Council v Dubois [2014] QPEC 13 at [71].
10 Rockhampton Regional Council v Dubois [2014] QPEC 13 at [63].
11 [2009] 2 Qd R 219.
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13
from Soulemezis v Dudley (Holdings) Pty Ltd12 and Strbak v Newton,13 were met.
Why the primary judge gave no apparent weight to remorse and the apology were
perfectly plain. Having regard to the history of repeat offending detailed by the
primary judge, the conclusion that the applicant showed no remorse was justified.
[51] The fact that the applicant belatedly and temporarily complied with the 1999 Order
by removing the hoist is hardly a mitigating factor. It is merely a part of the facts
which show the nature, extent and culpability of the offending conduct. As long as
the hoist was not on area C, there was no continuing breach of the terms of the order
in that regard. The primary judge referred to the evidence given by Ms Noland
concerning the use of the hoist on stated dates and to the applicant’s evidence of the
removal, replacement and final removal of the hoist. It is not to be supposed that
these matters were not in his mind when sentencing. The sentencing remarks form
part of the primary judge’s reasons and cannot be construed or assessed for
adequacy in isolation from the remainder of the reasons.
[52] The fact that the primary judge did not expressly state in his sentencing remarks that
he had taken into account the cumulative effect of the term of imprisonment, the
applicant’s loss of income, the effect of imprisonment on the applicant’s business
and the amount of indemnity costs does not establish that his Honour failed to take
those matters in to account. There was no evidence before the primary judge,
however, that the applicant would suffer any particular financial hardship as a result
either of a short term of imprisonment or loss of income. There was no evidence,
for example, that the continued operation of the business was dependent on the
presence of the applicant. Nor was there evidence that the applicant’s absence from
the business for one month would cause substantial or permanent harm to the
business.
[53] The applicant submitted that the primary judge appeared to have regarded the
sentence of imprisonment “as the only penalty imposed”. The submission was
based on these observations by the primary judge:14
“[72] I believe the [applicant’s] continued offending in the face of
his previous convictions supports the reasonable inference
that any [monetary] penalty will not deter him from any
future similar conduct.
[73] Having regard to the history of the matter and being
conscious of the seriousness of imposing a prison term,
I have nevertheless come to the view that imprisonment is the
appropriate penalty. I order that the [applicant] be imprisoned
for three months, to be suspended after he has served one month.”
[54] His Honour had earlier remarked that a further fine of $5,000 or more would do
little to discourage the applicant. After the observations just quoted, the primary
judge dealt with the question of costs. It was open to his Honour to take the costs
order into account in formulating the sentence but not to do so would not have
constituted an error in law on the facts addressed and found by the primary judge.
Different considerations applied to the formulation of the costs order on the one
12 (1987) 10 NSWLR 247 at 273.
13 (unreported, New South Wales Court of Appeal, Gleeson CJ, Samuels and Priestley JJA, 18 July 1989).
14 Rockhampton Regional Council v Dubois [2014] QPEC 13 at [72]–[73].
-- 13 of 22 --
14
hand and the sentence on the other. In sentencing the applicant to a term of
imprisonment, the primary judge, rightly, had particular regard to personal and
general deterrence. He referred to the applicant’s continuing offending in the face
of his previous convictions, in respect of which monetary penalties had been
imposed. Relevant to the costs order were considerations such as the persistence by
the applicant in maintaining unarguable points such as the assertion that order 2 had
not been breached. Moreover, it is not apparent that the primary judge did not have
regard to the proposed costs order in determining the sentence to be imposed. The
term of actual imprisonment ordered was as short a sentence as a court would
normally contemplate ordering.
[55] An order that the applicant pay costs on the indemnity basis was always well within
the ambit of a sound exercise of the primary judge’s discretion. Indemnity costs
orders are not uncommon in contempt cases, particularly where there has been
a contumelious flouting of court orders or undertakings to the Court.15
[56] In arguing that the sentence imposed was manifestly excessive, counsel for the
applicant relied on the alleged errors discussed and rejected above. He also
contended that the authorities did not support the sentence imposed. Counsel
referred to Booth v Yardley;16 Formal Wear Express Franchising Pty Ltd v Roach;17
and City Hall Albury Wodonga Pty Ltd v Chicago Investments Pty Ltd.18
[57] In Booth, no term of imprisonment was imposed for a contempt constituted by non-
compliance with a court order. None was sought by the applicant. There was no
history of previous convictions for contempt and no finding of contumelious
disregard of the court’s order. Booth has little relevance for present purposes.
[58] The contempt in Formal Wear was the breach, on three occasions, of an
undertaking by the applicants for leave to appeal not to be concerned or interested in
“any business for the mobile hire of formal menswear” for a particular period within
a particular area. The male applicant, who was self-represented, informed the
sentencing judge that a fine would be “a waste of time” as he had trouble paying the
fine previously imposed for a similar breach. He said that his business had “folded”,
his wife had a serious medical condition and he had three dependent children.
[59] The applicant’s sentence of six months imprisonment was set aside and concurrent
three month terms of imprisonment were substituted. This Court concluded that
a custodial sentence was appropriate as the breaches of the order were committed
after the applicant had been fined for a similar offence, imposing a fine would be
futile and there was no acknowledgement of wrongdoing.
[60] The applicant in Formal Wear committed three breaches of an order over a period
of no more than four months. This applicant, against a more extensive history of
prior contempts, breached the 1999 Order on many occasions and, in the case of
order 2, for protracted periods. The decision in Formal Wear does not suggest that
the subject sentence was excessive.
15 Evenco Pty Ltd v Australian Building Construction Employees and Builders Labourers Federation
(Qld Branch)[2001] 2 Qd R 118 at 146; City Hall Albury Wodonga Pty Ltd v Chicago Investments
Pty Ltd [2006] QSC 31 at [185]; Bakir v Doueihi [2002] QSC 19 at [149]; Purtill v Landfix Pty Ltd
[2004] QPEC 67.
16 [2009] QPLR 299.
17 [2004] QCA 339.
18 [2006] QSC 31.
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15
[61] In Chicago Investments, the male and female defendants, who were found to have
committed a number of serious and deliberate breaches of undertakings given to the
Court, were ordered to serve four months and two months imprisonment
respectively. The defendants had no criminal record and had not previously been in
contempt of court. The elderly parents of the female defendant were dependent for
their full time care on the defendants. The defendants were ordered to pay costs on
the indemnity basis. The penalty imposed on the male defendant was substantially
more severe than the applicant’s sentence. The case also offers little assistance for
present purposes.
[62] Having regard to the applicant’s history of non-compliance with court orders, the
finding that a monetary penalty would not act as a deterrent and the finding of
contumelious disregard of the 1999 Orders, the penalty imposed was within the
range of the sound exercise of the sentencing discretion.
[63] I will now address the contention that the primary judge erred in failing to record a
conviction and in failing to state an operational period for the period of suspension
of the sentence. Section 152 of the PSA provides that a court may make an order of
imprisonment only if it records a conviction. Section 143 of the PSA provides that
a court may make an order under s 144(1) only if it records a conviction. Section
144(1) makes provision for suspended sentences. Sub-section (5) provides:
“The court must state an operational period during which the offender
must not commit another offence punishable by imprisonment if the
offender is to avoid being dealt with under section 146 for the
suspended sentence.”
[64] Rules 930 and 931 of the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999 (Qld) (the UCPR)
respectively provide:
“930 Punishment
(1) This rule applies if the court decides that the respondent has
committed a contempt.
(2) If the respondent is an individual, the court may punish the
individual by making an order that may be made under the
Penalties and Sentences Act 1992.
(3) …
(4) The court may make an order for punishment on conditions,
including, for example, a suspension of punishment during
good behaviour, with or without the respondent giving
security satisfactory to the court for good behaviour.
931 Imprisonment
(1) An order for imprisonment of the respondent may specify the
prison in which the respondent is to be imprisoned.
(2) If a respondent is imprisoned for a term, the court may order
the respondent’s discharge from prison before the end of the
term.”
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16
Consideration
[65] The power to make rules for “contempt of court and proceedings for failure to
comply with an order [of the Court]” is found in s 85 and Schedule 1 to the Supreme
Court of Queensland Act 1991 (Qld).
[66] The nature of contempt of court and the Court’s power to punish for it were
discussed as follows by Hayne J in Re Colina; Ex parte Torney:19
“… As was said in Hinch v Attorney-General (Vict) [No 2]:
‘Notwithstanding that a contempt may be described as a
criminal offence, the proceedings do not attract the
criminal jurisdiction of the court to which the application
is made. On the contrary, they proceed in the civil
jurisdiction and attract the rule that ordinarily applies in
that jurisdiction, namely, that costs follow the event.’
The power to punish for contempt is an inherent power of courts
charged with ‘the function of superintending the administration of
justice’. It is a power that is invoked sparingly but in a very wide
variety of circumstances. There are, in that sense, many forms of
contempt; there is no single ‘offence’ of the kind that the criminal
law knows.” (citations omitted)
[67] After discussing the onus of proof, Hayne J said:20
“Further, unlike other offences, proceedings for contempt can be, and
often are, instituted by a court of its own motion. No separate
prosecuting authority (with a discretion about whether to charge an
offence or what offence to charge) intervenes in such a case. (The
fact that rules of court often provide, as the Family Law Rules do in
this case, that proceedings may be brought by a court officer, like the
Marshal, should not obscure that such proceedings are brought at the
direction of the court concerned.)
The interposition of a prosecuting authority (whether law officer or
director of public prosecutions or the like) and the consequent
interposition of the exercise of discretions by that prosecuting
authority would deny the cardinal feature of the power to punish for
contempt; that it is an exercise of judicial power by the courts, to
protect the due administration of justice. And that would still be so
even if, contrary to the position with other offences, the courts had
power to review the exercise of such prosecutorial discretions in a
case of contempt. The function that is exercised when a court
proceeds against an alleged contemnor is not one to be exercised or
controlled by the executive.” (citations omitted)
[68] In Australasian Meat Industry Employees’ Union v Mudginberri Station Pty Ltd,21
Gibbs CJ, Mason, Wilson and Deane JJ, in considering the rationale underlying the
Court’s power to punish for contempt, said:
19 (1999) 200 CLR 386 at 428.
20 Re Colina; Ex parte Torney (1999) 200 CLR 386 at 429.
21 (1986) 161 CLR 98 at 106–107.
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17
“Punishment for contempt serves two functions: (a) enforcement of
the process and orders of the court, disobedience to which has been
described as ‘civil contempt’; and (b) punishment of other acts which
impede the administration of justice, such as obstructing proceedings
in court while it is sitting or publishing comments on a pending case,
which have both been described as ‘criminal contempt’: Fox, History
of Contempt of Court (1927), p. 1. As Lord Diplock said in Attorney-
General v. Leveller Magazine Ltd., criminal contempts ‘... all share a
common characteristic: they involve an interference with the due
administration of justice either in a particular case or more generally
as a continuing process’.
… The theoretical distinction between the two classes overlooks the
underlying rationale of every exercise of the contempt power,
namely that it is necessary to uphold and protect the effective
administration of justice. Although the primary purpose in
committing a defendant who disobeys an injunction is to enforce the
injunction for the benefit of the plaintiff, another purpose is to
protect the effective administration of justice by demonstrating that
the court’s orders will be enforced. As the authors of Borrie and
Lowe’s Law of Contempt, 2nd ed. (1983) say, at p. 3:
‘If a court lacked the means to enforce its orders, if its
orders could be disobeyed with impunity, not only would
individual litigants suffer, the whole administration of
justice would be brought into disrepute.’” (citations omitted)
[69] Later in their reasons, their Honours observed that:22
“There is, accordingly, much to be said for the view that all
contempts should be punished as if they are quasi-criminal in
character, notwithstanding the adoption of the contrary view by some
members of this Court in the decisions to which we have already
referred.”
[70] Later, in dealing with the distinctive nature of the power to punish for contempt,
their Honours said:23
“There are ample precedents where courts have taken strong
measures in order to coerce compliance with an order of the court. In
the case of an individual contemnor, he may be imprisoned until the
contempt is purged. The committal to prison is of a conditional
nature, remaining in force until the contempt comes to an end or
further order is made. As soon as the contempt is purged, the
offender is entitled to release ex debito justitiae: In re Freston. In the
case of a corporation, its assets may be seized and remain seized
until the contempt ceases. Such an order again exhibits a conditional
character. There is much to be said for securing to a superior court
a wide range of remedies so that it will be better able to meet the
22 Australasian Meat Industry Employees’ Union v Mudginberri Station Pty Ltd (1986) 161 CLR 98 at 109.
23 Australasian Meat Industry Employees’ Union v Mudginberri Station Pty Ltd (1986) 161 CLR 98
at 114–115.
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18
exigencies of particular circumstances. In the United States the
suspended fine is well known: Miller, Contempt of Court (1976), p. 12.
In Doyle v. London Guarantee Co., a case of continuing civil
contempt, the Supreme Court offered no criticism of a conditional
order imposing a fine of $250 if certain books and papers were not
produced by a certain date. Again, in United States v. United Mine
Workers of America the Supreme Court imposed a fine of $2,800,000
conditioned on the failure of the union to comply with a labour
injunction within five days. It was considered that such an order
would effectively coerce the union into a future compliance with the
Court’s order. Another example of the flexibility of the orders available to
the court may be seen in Con-Mech (Engineers) Ltd. v. Amalgamated
Union of Engineering Workers (Engineering Section), where the
National Industrial Relations Court ordered sequestration of assets to
the value of £100,000, but postponed a final decision on the amount
of the fine which would become payable so as to give the union time
for further reflection. On continued disobedience, a fine of £75,000
was imposed.
These are considerable powers, resort to which imposes a heavy
responsibility upon a court confronted with a determined challenge
to its authority. The propriety of their exercise cannot be measured
solely by reference to the established procedures attending the
prosecution of ordinary breaches of the law. Contempt of court is
a distinctive offence attracting remedies which are sui generis:
Morris v. Crown Office. It is required of the chosen remedy that it be
effective, no more but no less. For, if it is not effective, serious and
lasting damage to the fabric of the law may result.” (citations omitted;
emphasis added)
[71] It may be seen from the above passages that, in applying its inherent power to
punish for contempt, the Court is able to fashion its orders to meet the
circumstances involved. An indefinite and conditional sentence of imprisonment
may be ordered and fines may be imposed.
[72] Rule 930(2) of the UCPR, on which the applicant’s argument strongly relies, is
permissive, not mandatory, in terms and facilitative in its purpose. It does not
require the Court to make only an order that may be made under the PSA. It is
significant that r 930(4) provides for “punishment on conditions” without reference
to any of the requirements of the PSA. Rule 931 is also inconsistent with the notion
that r 930 implicitly detracts from the inherent jurisdiction and powers of the Court
in relation to contempt. Rule 931(2) implicitly acknowledges that a person found
guilty of contempt of court may be imprisoned for a term which is not fixed. If the
applicant’s arguments were to be accepted, r 931(2), although consistent with the
common law, would be incompatible with the provisions of the PSA. Under the
PSA, contempt of court is not one of the offences for which an indefinite sentence
may be imposed.24
[73] However, the most significant point to be made by reference to the above discussion
of the authorities is that, in the absence of clear and unequivocal language compelling
24 Penalties and Sentences Act 1992 (Qld), s 163.
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19
a contrary conclusion, a statute should not be taken as confining a superior court’s
inherent powers to punish for contempt.25 In my view, it would be extraordinary if
rules of court which did not refer to the court’s inherent jurisdiction or purport to
prescribe the only penalties which could be imposed, could be interpreted as
confining the court’s inherent powers to punish for contempt of Court.
[74] For the above reasons, the provisions of the PSA have no general application to
contempt orders.
[75] There are difficulties in the way of the applicant’s arguments. For example, it
would not be appropriate in the case of an order punishing a person for contempt,
particularly a civil contempt, to have the suspended term of imprisonment activated
if the person committed “another offence punishable by imprisonment”.26 Where
the Court imposes a suspended sentence for contempt, it should fashion the
operational period by reference to the conduct or orders in respect of which the
penalty is being imposed. Also, particularly in the case of a civil contempt, it would
be inappropriate to record a conviction. In O’Connor v Witness G,27 Margaret Wilson J
concluded that r 930(2), although increasing the range of penalties which may be
imposed, did not have the effect that a contemnor is, for all purposes, an “offender”
within the meaning of the PSA. I respectfully agree.
[76] I am unable to accept the applicant’s arguments that s 143 and s 144 applied to the
subject order and that non-compliance with the statutory requirements rendered the
order invalid. The Court had an inherent power to impose a suspended sentence and
to frame terms appropriate to the facts found by the primary judge. If, as was the
case, a conviction was not recorded and no operational period was stated, the order
was not one made pursuant to s 144. The applicant’s argument thus lacks merit. In
my view, the respondent’s contention that r 930(2) of the UCPR is concerned to
identify that the forms of punishment of an individual for contempt are the forms of
punishment available under the PSA and not to apply the conditions which regulate
the making of orders under that Act in circumstances unrelated to the punishment of
contempt is correct.
Was the costs order beyond power?
The applicant’s arguments
[77] The applicant argued to the following effect. Section 457 of the SPA provides the
statutory basis for the awarding of costs by the Planning and Environment Court.
Prior to the amendment of s 457 by s 61 of the Sustainable Planning and Other
Legislation Amendment Act (No 2) 2012 (Qld) (the SPOLA), which commenced on
22 November 2012, the general rule was that each party in a proceeding in the
Planning and Environment Court bore its own costs subject to certain exceptions
which are not presently relevant. The SPOLA amended the SPA by inserting s 945.
It provides:
“945 Costs for existing court proceedings
(1) Former section 457 continues to apply to a proceeding in the
court that has been brought before the commencement.
25 See e.g., Shergold v Tanner (2002) 209 CLR 126 at 136.
26 Section 144(5).
27 [2013] QSC 281.
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20
(2) For subsection (1), a proceeding in the court (the originating
proceeding) includes any interlocutory proceeding relating to the
originating proceeding that is brought after the commencement.”
[78] The subject application is headed “Application in Pending Proceedings”. Such
proceedings are identified as No 5 of 1995. Consequently, the respondent, as it was
entitled to do under r 926(2) of the UCPR, filed its application “in the proceeding in
which the contempt was committed” rather than starting a new proceeding. It is
pointed out that a proceeding in the Planning and Environment Court is commenced
either by filing an originating application or an appeal.28 Consequently, according
to the argument, the respondent did not commence a new proceeding and the former
s 457 continues to apply.
Consideration
[79] Section 439(2) of the SPA applies s 129 of the District Court of Queensland Act
1967 (Qld) to the Planning and Environment Court, giving a District Court judge
the same power to punish for a contempt mentioned in sub-section (1) as a Supreme
Court judge would have if the contempt were a contempt of the Supreme Court. By
operation of sub-section (3) the failure to comply with an order of the Court is
a contempt of Court.
[80] The application filed on 19 September 2013 is a proceeding in its own right. Under
the SPA, the following proceedings may be brought in the Planning and Environment
Court:
(a) appeals against various decisions under ss 461–480;
(b) a proceeding for a declaration under s 456C;
(c) a proceeding for an enforcement order or interim enforcement order under
s 601; and
(d) an application to punish a person for contempt under s 439.
[81] It was held in Cheney v Spooner29 that a “proceeding” for the purposes of s 16 of
the Service and Execution of Process Act 1901 (Cth) (repealed) is some method
permitted by law for moving a court or judicial officer to perform some authorised
act.30 Section 945(2) makes it plain that a “proceeding” within the meaning of the section
is not limited to matters commenced by claims, writs and the like. In my view there
is no tenable reason why an application for the punishment of a person for contempt
of Court would not be a “proceeding in the court” for the purposes of s 457.
[82] For s 457 to apply by operation of s 945, the “proceeding” must be brought before
the commencement of s 945 or be an “interlocutory proceeding relating to the
originating proceeding that is brought after the commencement”.31 An application
to punish for contempt is not an interlocutory proceeding.
28 Planning and Environment Court Rules 2010 (Qld), r 6; Sustainable Planning Act 2009 (Qld), s 481.
29 (1929) 41 CLR 532.
30 Cheney v Spooner (1929) 41 CLR 532 at 536–537.
31 Sustainable Planning Act 2009 (Qld), s 945(2).
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21
[83] The test of whether an order is interlocutory or not is whether it finally disposes of
the rights of the parties. It is not “of the essence of an interlocutory order that it
is one made in the course of a pending action or suit”.32 As Windeyer J said in Hall
v Nominal Defendant,33 it was “never enough to ask simply does the order finally
determine the actual application or matter out of which it arises; because, subject to
the possibility of an appeal, every order does that, unless it be an order that is
expressly declared to be subject to variation”.
[84] The subject orders finally disposed of the rights of the parties. Also, when the
subject application was filed, application No 5 of 1995 was not extant. It had been
disposed of by the orders made on 7 June 1996. Even though the subject
application was described on its face as an “application in pending proceeding”, it
was in fact an originating application. In substance, if not in form, the subject
application was a proceeding on its own right which came into existence on filing in
the registry. This ground was not made out.
Conclusion
[85] Counsel for the applicant contended that the effect of the primary judge’s failure to
state an operational period for the suspended sentence was that the sentence, having
been suspended, would continue indefinitely unless the applicant was convicted of
a criminal offence for which imprisonment may be imposed.34
[86] I suspect that the primary judge intended to state an operational period but forgot to
do so. However, neither that, nor the wording of paragraph 2 of the primary judge’s
order, leads to the result suggested by the applicant’s counsel. Paragraph 2 states:35
“The [applicant] is sentenced to imprisonment for three months, to
be suspended after he has served one month.”
[87] The intention could not have been to impose an indefinite operational period. The
only reasonable alternative conclusion is that the suspension was to last until the
expiry of the three month term of the sentence. However, the order as it stands,
does not state, as it should, the circumstances under which it would be activated.
It should be corrected to redress this deficiency. Although the primary judge may
have intended stating a longer operational period and there would have been good
reason for doing so, I do not consider that this Court on appeal should make the
sentence more onerous.
[88] I would amend the order at first instance by inserting the following paragraph 2A:
“If the Planning and Environment Court is satisfied that any of the
terms of the order of 11 June 1999 were breached by the Respondent
after 3 April 2014 and prior to the expiration of the three months term of
the sentence the Planning and Environment Court may order the
Respondent to serve the whole or part of the suspended imprisonment.”
[89] I would also vary paragraph 3 of such order by deleting “7 April 2014” and
inserting in lieu thereof “29 August 2014”.
32 Hall v Nominal Defendant (1966) 117 CLR 423 at 439 and 444.
33 (1966) 117 CLR 423 at 444.
34 Penalties and Sentences Act 1992 (Qld), s 146.
35 Rockhampton Regional Council v Dubois [2014] QPEC 13 at [81].
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22
[90] I would otherwise order that:
1. The application for leave to appeal be allowed.
2. The appeal be dismissed.
3. The applicant pay the respondent’s costs of and incidental to the appeal.
[91] GOTTERSON JA: I agree with the orders proposed by Muir JA and with the
reasons given by his Honour.
[92] ANN LYONS J: I agree with the reasons of Muir JA and the orders he proposes.
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Official source: https://www.sclqld.org.au/caselaw/QCA/2014/215