The Queensland politician

You work as crime reporter (or in-house counsel advising) for Brisbane's leadingTattleronline newspaper with a daily viewership of 97,000. Your editor is keen to get it back over the 100,000 mark and wants a big story NOW. There has been chatter on social media about a prominent Queensland politician about to be arrested on historic sexual assault charges (with no further details). You contact a confidential source in the highest levels of Queensland Police who emails you a key file related to the matter. It includes the documents filed by NSW Police seeking the charging and extradition to NSW of senior Queensland Cabinet minister 57-year-old Dr Peter Khalil, who is Minister for Community Affairs and a prominent member of the Lebanese Muslim community. The allegations are that Khalil sexually assaulted his nephew Sammy Khalil, now 25 years old (the complainant) over three consecutive summer holiday periods at a Byron Bay caravan park when the complainant was 14, 15 and 16 years old. They are high level sexual assault charges.

The arrest, charging and extradition proceedings are likely to happen within the next few days. Also attached are details of similar Queensland charges against Khalil from 1997 which were withdrawn during committal proceedings.

Meanwhile, the leader of the Anglo Nation Party, Paula Manson, has posted this comment on the Tattler's Facebook page under a story featuring the Premier criticising her policies: "Mind your own business Premier. You've got enough to worry about with your molesting Lebo minister about to face justice at last. Lebanese and Muslims are wired for criminality and deviance. It's in their genes and it's your fault for appointing one to your Cabinet."

a. What are the main media law issues that arise here?

b. Explain briefly how those laws and possible defences might apply.

c. What cases / examples / legislation are relevant to this situation?

d. Assuming the goal of the Tattler is to try to publish as much material as is legally allowable, what course of action would you recommend for the publisher in this situation and why?