Mathews v State of Queensland

In *Mathews v State of Queensland*, the applicant sought leave to appear by telephone at a hearing before Judge Jarrett of the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal. The respondent, the State of Queensland, did not oppose the application.

The primary legal issue before the Tribunal was whether to grant the applicant's request to participate in the hearing remotely via telephone. This required the Tribunal to consider the practicalities and fairness of such an arrangement in the context of the proceedings.

Judge Jarrett noted that the application had been adjourned previously, and the current hearing was scheduled to deal with the substantive merits of the case. Given the absence of opposition from the respondent and the fact that the applicant had previously indicated an inability to attend in person, the Tribunal considered it appropriate to grant the application. The Tribunal reasoned that allowing the applicant to appear by telephone would facilitate the efficient progression of the matter and ensure the applicant's ability to participate in the hearing.

The Tribunal ordered that the applicant be permitted to appear by telephone at the hearing.