Media bid to identify well-known Australian rape accused

The man is the subject of national attention but cannot be named because of a soon-to-be scrapped Queensland law.

The man is the subject of national attention but cannot be named because of a soon-to-be scrapped Queensland law. Picture: istock

A coalition of media organisations has launched a legal bid to identify a well-known Australian charged with rape in Queensland.

The man, who is the subject of national attention, can’t be named because of a soon-to-be scrapped Queensland law that protects the identity of people charged with ­serious sexual offences until they are committed to stand trial.

Australia’s biggest media organisations – including News Corp, Nine Entertainment, the ABC and Network 10 – applied to a Queensland court on Wednesday for permission to name the man accused of attacking a young woman in Toowoomba on Oct­ober 10, 2021.

In a submission to magistrate Kay Philipson, barrister Jessica Goldie argued that “considering the national interest in this ­matter, the applicants submit there is good and sufficient ­reason for the defendant’s identity to be ­revealed now”.

Ms Goldie submitted that the case was “unique” and it was highly unlikely the two rape ­charges against the man would be dropped before evidence was tested at a committal hearing.

“It is well established that the principle of open justice is fundamental to our legal system,” she wrote in a submission. “In the circumstances, one would consider it inevitable that the defendant’s identity will ultimately be revealed. The question for the court is whether it can be revealed now or following a committal hearing.

“Considering the national interest in this matter, the applicants submit there is good and sufficient reason for the defendant’s identity to be revealed now.”

Ms Philipson adjourned the application, which was opposed by both the man’s lawyer and the prosecution.

She said the media’s application was “premature”, given the matter was still in a procedural phase, and it would be considered again if it progressed to a committal hearing.

“I do not consider there is even an ability for me to make an order,” Ms Philipson said.

In January, The Australian ­revealed Queensland Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman planned to fast-track law changes to allow the media to name ­accused rapists before they were committed to stand trial.

Legislation is expected to be put before state parliament by the middle of the year.

The man, who is living interstate, was granted bail in January and did not appear in court on Wednesday.

His matter was adjourned until April 5.