Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny has directed her department to review court suppression order rules following complaints about how they are being used. Multiple reports say the review is prompted by concerns that suppression orders may be granted or maintained on mental health grounds in ways that limit reporting in high-profile cases.
The reports agree that Kilkenny’s request involves examining the current framework for suppression orders and related court secrecy provisions. The aim of the review is to assess whether the use of mental health considerations is being applied appropriately and consistently, and whether the rules are functioning as intended.
While the articles do not identify specific defendants or particular cases, they focus on broader governance of suppression orders and the balance between privacy or legal protections and public access to court proceedings. The review is being undertaken by the Attorney-General’s department, following the complaints raised about perceived overreliance on mental health grounds to justify restricted publication or disclosure.
