Environment Protection Authority v Pannowitz

[2006] NSWLEC 219

Land and Environment Court

of New South Wales

CITATION:

Environment Protection Authority v Pannowitz [2006] NSWLEC 219

PARTIES:

PROSECUTOR:
Environment Protection Authority

DEFENDANT:
Kenneth Warren Pannowitz

FILE NUMBER(S):

50024 of 2004

CORAM:

Lloyd J

KEY ISSUES:

Contempt :- non-compliance with publication order – interference with the course of justice – scandalising the Court – aiding and abetting an offence commited by another – punishment of a non-party

Practice & Procedure: - charge of contempt against a non-party – separate proceedings should be brought against the non-party

LEGISLATION CITED:

Environmental Offences and Penalties Act 1989 s 14 (repealed)
Land and Environment Court Act 1979 ss 41, 67,
Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 ss 143(1), 250(1)(a)

CASES CITED:

Attorney-General for New South Wales v Mayas Pty Ltd (1988) 14 NSWLR 342;
Attorney-General for New South Wales v Mundey [1972] 2 NSWLR 887;
Attorney-General v Punch Ltd [2003] 1 AC 1046;
Australian Meat Industry Employees’ Union v Mudginberri Station Pty Ltd (1986) 161 CLR 98;
Bell v Stewart (1920) 28 CLR 419;
Re Colina; Ex parte Torney (1999) 200 CLR 386;
Environment Protection Authority v Steepleton Pty Ltd [2005] NSWLEC 175;
Environment Protection Authority v Waight (2003) 125 LGERA 399;
Gallagher v Durack (1983) 152 CLR 238;
Giorgianni v The Queen (1985) 156 CLR 473;
Harkianakis v Skalkos (1997) 42 NSWLR 22;
Hoser v R; Ex parte Attorney-General (Vic) [2003] VCSA 194;
John Fairfax & Sons Pty Ltd v McRae (1955) 93 CLR 352;
Lane v The Registrar of the Supreme Court of New South Wales (1981) 148 CLR 245;
Nationwide News Pty Ltd v Wills (1992) 177 CLR 1;
Prothonotary v Hirata [2000] NSWSC 106;
R v Brett [1950] VLR 226;
R v David Syme & Co Ltd [1982] VR 173;
R v Dunbabin; Ex parte Williams (1935) 53 CLR 434;
R v Hoser [2001] VSC 443;
Witham v Holloway (1995) 183 CLR 525;

DATES OF HEARING:

27/03/2006; 28/03/2006 and 29/03/2006

 
DATE OF JUDGMENT: 

05/09/2006

LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES:

PROSECUTOR:
D A Buchahan SC
SOLICITOR:
Stephen Garrett
Environment Protection Authority

DEFENDANT:
D P M O'Dowd (barrister)
SOLICITORS:
Thomson Norrie

JUDGMENT:

Contents

Section
Paragraph number

51 - 77

The defendant's knowledge of the Court's order 57 - 63
The defendant's acts 64 - 75
(a) Size and placement of the advertisement 65 - 67
(b) Omissions from the advertisement 68 - 69
(c) Additional words 70 - 72
(d) Omission of logos 73 - 75
The commission of contempt 76- 77

- 29 -

IN THE LAND AND
ENVIRONMENT COURT
OF NEW SOUTH WALES

Lloyd J

Tuesday, 9 May 2006

LEC No. 50024 of 2004

ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AUTHORITY v PANNOWITZ [2006] NSWLEC 219

JUDGMENT

INTRODUCTION

1 HIS HONOUR: The defendant, Kenneth Warren Pannowitz, is charged with contempt of court. The contempt in this case is interference with the administration of justice in proceedings to which he was not a party (“third party contempt”); and/or contempt…