Australian Communications and Media Authority v. Today FM (Sydney) Pty Ltd

Lower Court Judgment

14/03/2014 Federal Court of Australia (Allsop CJ, Robertson J, Griffiths J)

[2014] FCAFC 22

Catchwords

Administrative law –Powers of Australian Communications and Media Authority (“ACMA”) – Respondent held commercial radio broadcasting licence under Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (Cth) (“BSA”) – Respondent recorded and broadcast conversation for radio segment – ACMA investigated segment under s 170 of BSA – Investigation concerned whether respondent breached licence condition contained in cl 8(1)(g), Sch 2 of BSA which is engaged where offence is committed against another law – ACMA’s preliminary investigation report found that respondent contravened s 11(1) of Surveillance Devices Act 2007 (NSW) – Whether ACMA can only make administrative finding of commission of offence once conviction is recorded by criminal court – Whether ACMA is required to defer enforcement action until after criminal process has concluded – Whether ACMA is bound conclusively in its administrative findings by the outcome of such criminal process.

Constitutional law – Judicial power – Whether ACMA’s conclusion of breach of licence condition involves exercise of judicial power reserved to Ch III courts.

Short Particulars