Heidi Ward sues Queensland Police Service for $1.289m

A woman has labelled the judicial process as ‘complete corruption’ after a Supreme Court Justice decided against her during a review of her $1.289m case against Queensland Police Service.

Heidi Ward outside Mackay courthouse on March 3, 2023.

A Whitsundays woman has labelled the judicial process as “complete corruption” after her push for a judgment in her $1.289m case against Queensland Police Service was rejected.

Heidi Ward, who contested the Division 2 seat at the 2020 Whitsunday council election, was arrested and charged with assaulting a security guard and other street-type offences over an alleged incident in December 2019 in and near the Airlie Beach Hotel.

She took the case against her to Mackay District Court where she represented herself during a one day trial in May 2021 – a jury took 12 minutes to find her not guilty and Judge Brad Farr labelled it “one of the most trivial matters I’ve ever encountered in my 30-odd years in the law”.

Some remaining charges against her stemming from the 2019 incident were then dropped in September that year after police prosecution offered no evidence.

On August 11, 2022, Mrs Ward filed a damages claim in Mackay Supreme Court against the QPS totalling $1,289,283 over allegations including malicious prosecution, excessive force, negligence and false arrest.

The QPS intend to defend the case and on October 4, 2022, filed a notice of intention to defend and its defence.

On October 12 Mrs Ward applied to the registrar of the Mackay courthouse for a default judgment arguing the QPS did not file paperwork within the time frame under the rules.

Heidi Michelle Ward is suing the QPS for $1.289m stemming from an alleged incident in December 2019.

If a defence has not been filed within 28 days of the date the claim was filed a plaintiff is able to file for a default judgment.

During a judicial review of the case on Monday Mackay Supreme Court heard the registrar refused to give Mrs Ward a default judgment.

Justice David North found the registrar “was correct by refusing to enter a default judgment” because a defence had already been filed at that time.

Justice North also ruled some administrative changes including the defendant was changed from Queensland Police Service to State of Queensland and that Mrs Ward’s “address of service” would be her email address.

Mrs Ward said she did not consent to her email being used but Justice North said he had taken the matter out of her hands.

When Mrs Ward asked for a judgment, Justice North said her application was refused.

As Justice North was leaving the courtroom Mrs Ward said “injustice at its best” and “complete corruption”.

The matter will be mentioned again on June 5.