Liberal Democrats Senator David Leyonhjelm has called for the Attorney-General's Department to release its report reviewing suppression orders across state and federal jurisdictions.
The call comes in the wake of this week's jury verdict on a high-profile Victorian court case that is the subject of a total media blackout.
"In this digital age it is absurd for courts in certain Australian jurisdictions to be using gagging orders so widely," Senator Leyonhjelm said.
"The rest of the world is reading about this hugely significant guilty verdict handed down in a Victorian courtroom on Wednesday, but Australians are being kept in the dark."
While negotiating with the Turnbull Government over support for the Australian Building and Construction Commission, Senator Leyonhjelm secured a commitment from the Attorney-General for a review of current suppression order regimes.
On 23 November, the Council of Attorneys-General met in Perth. A subsequent communique noted that the Australian Attorney-General's Department had completed its review of suppression order regimes and had found significant variations from best practice across federal, state and territory levels.
The report has not been made public.
"It is widely known in legal and media spheres that Victorian courts are the worst offenders when it comes to gagging orders," Senator Leyonhjelm said.
"With the exception of certain family court cases, cases involving children and matters of genuine national security, there is no place in a modern society for suppression orders that impede open justice, which is fundamental to preserving community faith in the justice system.
"The public should know that laws are being applied fairly, and that those who break laws are being prosecuted."
Attached: Confirmation of agreement by Turnbull Government to review state and federal suppression regimes.
