A Supreme Court judge has been asked to overturn a suppression order that prevents the identification of a high-profile Queensland man involved in an extortion case. Lawyers representing four media outlets, including the ABC, have sought a judicial review of the order, which was issued by Acting Magistrate Gelma Meoli in the Cairns Magistrates Court on Monday.
The suppression order prohibits the publication of the identities of all parties in the case, including the high-profile man, who is neither a witness nor a direct target of the extortion. The order also suppresses details of the threat made by the accused, who is charged with extortion and cannot be named.
During the Monday hearing, the court heard that the accused threatened to reveal information about his former partner and a married Queensland public figure. Magistrate Meoli acknowledged the married man's high public profile but stated the order was not based on potential embarrassment or reputational harm. She said suppressing his name was essential to protect the complainant and prevent the accused from achieving the goal of the extortion charge.
The judicial review application went before Justice James Henry on Wednesday morning in a closed court. The hearing has been adjourned to July 31 at the Supreme Court in Cairns, where submissions will be made on whether the proceedings should remain closed. The accused is next due to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on July 28.
