Travel Essence Pty Ltd & Ors v Jeannette Young, The Chief Health Officer for the State of Queensland

The applicants, Travel Essence Pty Ltd and others, sought judicial review of directions issued by the respondent, Jeannette Young, the Chief Health Officer for the State of Queensland, under the *Public Health Act 2005* (Qld). The dispute concerned the validity of these directions, which imposed restrictions on unvaccinated individuals entering Queensland and required vaccination for certain occupations. The matter was heard by Kiefel CJ.

The central legal issue before the Court was whether the Chief Health Officer had the power to make the impugned directions under the *Public Health Act 2005* (Qld), particularly concerning the scope of her authority to impose conditions on entry into Queensland and to mandate vaccinations for specific employment categories. The applicants contended that the directions exceeded the Chief Health Officer's statutory powers.

Kiefel CJ considered the provisions of the *Public Health Act 2005* (Qld), focusing on the powers conferred upon the Chief Health Officer to make public health directions in response to declared public health emergencies. The Chief Justice analysed the language of the Act and relevant case law to determine the extent of these powers, particularly in relation to interstate travel and employment mandates. The reasoning involved an interpretation of the statutory framework to ascertain whether the directions were a valid exercise of the Chief Health Officer's delegated authority to protect public health.

The application was dismissed.