A high-profile man accused of rape has been granted interim name suppression on the eve of new Queensland laws that permit identification.
Queensland law prohibits the naming of people charged with rape unless and until they are committed to stand trial, but that will change when new legislation takes effect next week.
The man faces two counts of raping a woman in Toowoomba in October 2021.
To date his identity has been protected. But new laws passed two weeks ago will allow the media to name accused rapists and sex offenders from October 3, unless they obtain a suppression or non-publication order.
The accused's legal team intend to formally apply for a non-publication order after the legislation comes into effect, according to a decision published by the Supreme Court of Queensland.
"The applicant intends to apply for such an order as soon as practicable," Justice Peter Applegarth said in his ruling to grant the interim order on Friday.
"It will take some time for the application for the interim order to be heard and determined.
"Without such a temporary order, reports identifying him as the defendant in the committal proceeding could be published at any time after midnight on Monday.
"Given the publicity that the committal proceeding has attracted, there is a substantial risk that, unless a temporary order is made, media reports identifying the applicant will be published."
The Queensland Police Service did not oppose the application.
The new laws were a recommendation of the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce in 2022, and bring Queensland into line with all other states and territories except the NT.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
