Identity of prominent Queensland public figure in extortion case remains secret

The identity of a Queensland public figure embroiled in a lurid extortion case will remain a secret following a decision by the Supreme Court.

A high-profile Queensland man who allegedly had an affair with a woman in 2017, while married, will have his identity concealed despite a legal contest from multiple media organisations to uncover his name.

The alleged affair has been at the centre of a months-long court battle in Far North Queensland after the man’s name was mentioned by lawyers in open court in May.

The court was told a man accused of a domestic violence extortion charge in Cairns blackmailed a woman by threatening to reveal details about an affair she allegedly had with the prominent male figure, referred to under the pseudonym “MM”.

The high-profile man is not a party in the extortion proceedings and is not accused of any legal wrongdoing in the matter.

He was not the named target of the alleged extortion, nor facing any charges; however, upon hearing his name referenced in open court proceedings, a Cairns magistrate issued a blanket non-publication order barring anyone, including media, from publishing his name or any details of the case.

A suppression order over his identity and the identities of the parties involved in the matter was finalised in June, after the Queensland Police Commissioner brought forward an application which was approved by the court.

Media organisations challenged the order, elevating the matter to the Cairns Supreme Court in July.

Legal representative for the media Andrew O’Brien KC argued there was no legal precedent for protecting a third party who was not a witness or a complainant in similar extortion matters.

Jonathan Horton KC for the police argued the complainant would be left vulnerable if the man’s identity was revealed.

On Friday, August 28, Justice James Henry ruled the suppression order over the man’s identity be upheld.

While the gag order remained in place, chatter swirled on social media and online forums as news of the mystery man’s identity was allegedly shared from inside the courthouse.

A Cairns-based content creator who attended the initial court hearing posted the news on social media immediately after it was first heard, attracting public interest.

He then allegedly continued to post about the case and was later charged with disobeying a lawful order issued by statutory authority and two counts of publication of identifying information in proceedings.