ON 30 SEPTEMBER 1992, the High Court of Australia delivered Australian Capital Television Pty Ltd & New South Wales v Commonwealth [1992] HCA 45; (1992) 177 CLR 106 (30 September 1992).
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/cth/HCA/1992/45.html
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ON 21 AUGUST 1992, the NSW Court of Appeal delivered Greiner v Independent Commission Against Corruption (1992) 28 NSWLR 125.
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ON 27 JULY 1992, the High Court of Australia delivered Williams v Spautz [1992] HCA 34; (1992) 174 CLR 509 (27 July 1992).
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/cth/HCA/1992/34.html
The case concerns the use of the court’s power to grant a stay of proceedings when the proceedings have been used for an improper purpose.
After being dismissed from the University of Newcastle, Dr Spautz threatened, instituted and maintained private prosecutions of charges of conspiracy and criminal defamation against former colleagues including Professor Williams and others (“the appellants”).
The appellants obtained a stay of proceedings order from the Supreme Court of NSW. The trial judge found that the proceedings had been brought for the improper purpose of “exerting pressure upon the University of Newcastle to reinstate him and/or to agree to a favourable settlement of his wrongful dismissal case”.
The NSW Court of Appeal quashed the orders, holding that the appellants could receive a fair trial and that there was no evidence of any misconduct in the way the prosecution was conducted.
The High Court allowed an appeal, setting aside the Court of Appeal’s decision, declaring that the prosecutions were an abuse of process and ordering that the prosecutions be stayed permanently.
The decision provides:
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ON 3 JUNE 1992, the High Court of Australia delivered Mabo v Queensland (No 2) (“Mabo case”) [1992] HCA 23; (1992) 175 CLR 1 (3 June 1992).
Upon the British Crown’s acquisition of sovereignty over parts of Australia since 1788, aboriginal native title survived and as such the doctrine of terra nullius does not apply to Australia.
Where validly asserted, native title entitles its holders as against the world to possession, occupation, use and enjoyment of the particular land over which the title is claimed. It is ascertained according to the laws and customs of it’s indigenous inhabitants who have a connexion with the land through continued use and enjoyment by the group or clan since the Crown’s acquisition of sovereignty.
Native title is inalienable but is extinguished if the clan or group ceases to have a connexion with the land, or by a valid exercise of government power under the laws of the Commonwealth.
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ON 6 MAY 1992, the High Court of Australia delivered Domican v R [1992] HCA 13; (1992) 173 CLR 555 (6 May 1992).
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/cth/high_ct/173clr555.html
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ON 6 May 1992, the High Court of Australia delivered Department of Health & Community Services v JWB & SMB (“Marion’s Case”) [1992] HCA 15; (1992) 175 CLR 218 (6 May 1992).
“Children – Intellectual disability – Sterilization – Power of parents to consent – Assault – Parens patriae jurisdiction of court – Criminal Code Act 1983 (N.T.), ss 1, 26, 181, 187 188.
Family Law (Cth) – Family Court – Jurisdiction – Welfare – Parens patriae – Intellectually disabled child – Sterilization – Power of Court to authorize operation – Effect of authorization on criminal law – Family Law Act 1975 (Cth), ss. 63, 64, 64E – Criminal Code Act 1983 (N.T.), ss 1, 26, 181, 187, 188.”
The court held that the parents of a 14 year old mentally retarded girl from the Northern Territory could not lawfully authorize a sterilization procedure on their child without an order of a court.
The court held that the Family Court of Australia has the jurisdiction to authorize the carrying out of a sterilization procedure but could not approve consent being given to the parents unless the court authorizes the procedure.
Whilst parents or guardians may authorize or consent to the carrying out of a therapeutic treatment of their child, they have no such power regarding non-therapeutic treatment.
Sterilization of an intellectuallly disabled minor falls outside of the ordinary scope of parenal powers if the procedure is not obviously necessary.
Children have the right to personal integrity under domestic and international law. Procedures, such as sterilization, are “invasive, irreversible and major surgery”. It is up to the court, not the parents or guardians, to decide the appropriate circumstances that are in the best interests of the child.
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/cth/HCA/1992/15.html
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Re Deputy Commissioner of Taxation v Best and Less (Wollongong) Pty Limited (Receiver and Manager Appointed); Brian Silvia and Mogul Stud Pty Limited [1992] FCA 140; (1991) 10 ACLC 520, (1991) 7 Ascr 245 (3 April 1992).
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/cth/FCA/1992/140.html
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Re Eastern Express Pty Limited v General Newspapers Pty Limited; Double Bay Newspapers Pty Limited; Brehmer Fairfax Pty Limited, John B Fairfax; John Hannan; Frank Hannan and Nickelby Pty Limited [1992] FCA 138 (2 April 1992).
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/cth/FCA/1992/138.html
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ON 12 MARCH 1992, the NSW Court of Appeal delivered Renard Constructions (ME) Pty Ltd v Minister for Public Works (1992) 26 NSWLR 234.
This is one of the earliest instances in which an Australian court was willing to imply a contractual duty of good faith.
Sydney, Australia
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Re Desmond Walter Dowling v Dalgety Australia Limited; Elders Ixl Ltd; Australian Mercantile Land and Finance Company Ltd; Austest Company Ltd and Primac Association Ltd [1992] FCA 35; (1992) 14 Atpr 41-165 (1992) 106 Al (10 February 1992).
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/cth/FCA/1992/35.html
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