Lawyers for four media outlets, including the ABC, have asked the Supreme Court to overturn a suppression order that prevents the identification of a high-profile Queensland man linked to an extortion case. The judicial review was adjourned to July 31 at the Supreme Court in Cairns.
The Cairns Magistrates Court previously heard that a man charged with extortion—who cannot be named—threatened to reveal information about his former partner and a married Queensland public figure. Acting Magistrate Gelma Meoli issued a non-publication order on Monday, suppressing the identities of all parties involved, including the high-profile man, who is neither a witness nor a direct target of the extortion.
Police also requested the court prohibit publication of "details of the threat to cause detriment." The Magistrates Court declined to provide a copy of the order to the ABC, stating its content was suppressed.
The application to lift the suppression order went before Justice James Henry on Wednesday morning in a closed court. The July 31 hearing is expected to begin in a closed court, with parties to argue whether it should remain closed.
Brydie Bilic, the accused man's barrister, previously opposed including the high-profile man's name in the suppression order. In making the order, Magistrate Meoli acknowledged the married man "has a high public profile" but said the order was not based on potential embarrassment or reputational harm. She stated, "The threat of exposing the married man goes to the very heart of the threat... Not suppressing the married man's name then offers the complainant no protection."
It has not been alleged the married man had any knowledge of the extortion. The accused is next due in Cairns Magistrates Court on July 28.
