High Court Time
 
So we are off to the High Court. This morning, after pondering yesterday’s events overnight, Magistrate Charlie Rosensweig, today adjourned the case against me for allegedly publicly identifying two convicted sex offenders whose names had been suppressed.
 
I’m not out of the woods by any means but it does mean we can now approach the High Court on several constitutional issues attacking what I believe is a bad law.
 
A law that was not designed this way but, increasingly, has protected the rights and privileges of some of the worst convicted rapists and paedophiles in this country. While the rights of victims and the community go begging.
 
Along with the belief that our courts should operate openly. That the interests of you, the public, should be considered above the rights of convicted crims.
 
That suppression orders should not be handed down holus bolus. As they appear to be in the State of Victoria. Unlike in New South Wales where suppression orders are rarely granted.
 
I should stress there is a time and place for suppression orders. Rape victims names should be suppressed. Sadly, the names of criminals involved in incest must be suppressed because their victims have suffered enough and naming the offender identifies the victim. Evidence must be suppressed at times.
 
Sometimes names are suppressed, quite rightly, because an accomplice to a crime may still face trial. Or because of national security.
 
But I am talking about recidivist criminals already convicted and supposedly restricted by an Extended Supervision Order. More than 25 of them have had their names and photos suppressed and you will never know if they are living next to your or your child’s school.
 
So it’s off to the High Court. The Attorneys-General of Victoria  and Queensland have already expressed their interest in this case and I want to thank my legal team acting pro bono for what will be a complex and, I believe, nationally important legal matter. My barrister, Geoff Slater, who answered the call.  Former Solicitor-General David Bennett. And from TressCox, a man who has stuck with me through some tough times… Nic Pullen and Andrew Thompson.
 
But most of all those families of victims who have come to the rallies and doggedly come to court to support me. People like Shirley Irwin and Janine Greening and Noel and Bev McNamara  and the man in black, George Halvagas. The courts, and especially the Government that makes the laws, have let them down.
 
And I can honestly say ‘they are’ when I ask the question: Who’s looking after the children? They can’t help their own children any more. They’re trying to save yours.

Friday, 19th February 2010

© Copyright Derryn Hinch 2010