| CITATION: | Menzies and anor v Owen [2014] QCAT 661 |
| PARTIES: | Richelle Menzies (First Applicant) Rhonda Bruce (Second Applicant) |
| v | |
| Ronald Owen (Respondent) |
| APPLICATION NUMBER: | ADC009-06; ADC011-06 |
| MATTER TYPE: | Anti-discrimination matters |
| HEARING DATE: | 2 - 3 June 2014 |
| HEARD AT: | Brisbane |
| DECISION OF: | Member Ann Fitzpatrick |
| DELIVERED ON: | 17 December 2014 |
| DELIVERED AT: | Brisbane |
| ORDERS MADE: | 1. The Respondent Ronald Owen is to make a private apology and retraction to the Applicant, Richelle Menzies. The apology and retraction is to be delivered to the Applicant’s legal representatives by 9 January, 2015. The apology and retraction must be genuine and unqualified and must express regret for the offence, hurt, humiliation and anxiety caused to Ms Menzies by his contraventions of section 124A of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 arising out of the report to Council tabled on 6 September, 2005 and the newsletter distributed in September, 2005. 2. The Respondent Ronald Owen is to make a private apology and retraction to the Applicant, Rhonda Bruce. The apology and retraction is to be delivered to the Applicant’s legal representatives by 9 January, 2015. The apology and retraction must be genuine and unqualified and must express regret for the offence, hurt, humiliation and anxiety caused to Ms Bruce by his contraventions of section 124A of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 arising out of the report to Council tabled on 6 September, 2005, the newsletter distributed in September, 2005 and the letter headed “No Human Rights for Non Humans” published on the owenguns.com website and the lockstockandbarrel.org website. 3. The Applicants are to file and serve any submissions in relation to costs of the proceedings by 16 January, 2015. 4. The Respondent is to file and serve any submission by 3 February, 2015. 5. The Applicants are to file and serve any submissions in reply by 10 February, 2015. |
| CATCHWORDS: | Anti-discrimination - Vilification on the ground of sexuality – public act – incitement – reasonable conduct – good faith – public interest. Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld) ss 4A, 124A, 206, 209, Preamble - ss 6(b) and (c) Catch the Fire Ministries v Islamic Council of Victoria Inc (2006) 15 VR 207 |
APPEARANCES and REPRESENTATION (if any):
| APPLICANT: | Richelle Menzies and Rhonda Bruce represented by Mr S Hamlin-Harris of Counsel instructed by Caxton Legal Centre. |
| RESPONDENT: | Ron Owen represented by Mr R Haddrick of Counsel instructed by SK Lawyers. |
REASONS FOR DECISION
Background
Prior to the hearing in this matter on 2 and 3 June, 2014, there was extensive litigation between the parties.[1] The matter was heard afresh on those…
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- AGLC
- Menzies v Owen [2014] QCAT 661
- Case
- [2014] QCAT 661
- Decision Date
CaseChat Overview and Summary
The primary legal issues the court addressed were whether the respondent's actions constituted vilification under the Anti-Discrimination Act and, if so, what appropriate remedies should be imposed. The court considered whether the respondent's conduct was a public act, whether it incited hatred, contempt, or severe ridicule, and if the respondent's actions were reasonable and conducted in good faith for the public interest.
In its decision, the court found that the respondent's actions did indeed constitute vilification as defined by the Act. The court held that the report, newsletter, and letter collectively targeted individuals based on their sexuality, inciting hatred and severe ridicule. It was further determined that the respondent's actions were not reasonable or conducted in good faith for the public interest. Consequently, the court ordered the respondent to issue private apologies and retractions to the applicants, expressing genuine regret for the harm caused. The court also set timelines for the filing and serving of submissions regarding costs.
Orders
Orders of the court
1. The Respondent Ronald Owen is to make a private apology and retraction to the Applicant, Richelle Menzies. The apology and retraction is to be delivered to the Applicant’s legal representatives by 9 January, 2015. The apology and retraction must be genuine and unqualified and must express regret for the offence, hurt, humiliation and anxiety caused to Ms Menzies by his contraventions of section 124A of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 arising out of the report to Council tabled on 6 September, 2005 and the newsletter distributed in September, 2005.
2. The Respondent Ronald Owen is to make a private apology and retraction to the Applicant, Rhonda Bruce. The apology and retraction is to be delivered to the Applicant’s legal representatives by 9 January, 2015. The apology and retraction must be genuine and unqualified and must express regret for the offence, hurt, humiliation and anxiety caused to Ms Bruce by his contraventions of section 124A of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 arising out of the report to Council tabled on 6 September, 2005, the newsletter distributed in September, 2005 and the letter headed “No Human Rights for Non Humans” published on the owenguns.com website and the lockstockandbarrel.org website.
3. The Applicants are to file and serve any submissions in relation to costs of the proceedings by 16 January, 2015.
4. The Respondent is to file and serve any submission by 3 February, 2015.
5. The Applicants are to file and serve any submissions in reply by 10 February, 2015.
Background
Background to the litigation
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Evidence
Evidence Before The Court
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Decision
Reasons for decision
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Ratio Decidendi
Legal Principle Established
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