HEALTH Minister Michelle O’Byrne needs to tell the public why a suppression order was placed on a court case involving a man charged with HIV/AIDS and public health offences, the Tasmanian Liberals say.
The state’s top health official, Roscoe Taylor, was responsible for getting the order that denied the public details of the case.
The case was heard over several sittings in a closed court in Hobart.
A man had been charged with offences under the HIV/AIDS Preventative Measures Act and the Public Health Act but, when the case came to court, no details of it could legally be published.
This newspaper was prevented from appearing in the court to oppose the making of the orders because the case was not listed on public court lists and the defendant was not called into court from outside the courtroom. The suppression application was heard in a closed court.
Deputy Liberal Leader Jeremy Rockliff said suppression orders should only be made when there was an overwhelming public interest involved. Particular caution was needed when there was risk of harm to the broader community such as allegations of infection by communicable disease.
“The community is entitled to be assured that a rigorous assessment of the public interest has been undertaken,’’ Mr Rockliff said.
