SAFETY NET REVIEW 2003
1. What services does the site provide to parties?
The site will consolidate all documentation relevant to the Safety Net Review proceedings. That is, every document, including the applications, listings, all transcript, exhibits and other documents or correspondence relevant to the proceedings, will be accessible through the site.
The site will also include research resources, such as access to a compilation of previous Safety Net Review decisions, and access to all AIRC databases (all decisions, transcript etc) as well as links to Federal and High Court decision databases. A link will also be provided to OSIRIS.
Access will also be available to ISYS web search, as well as the KeyWords search engine (see the AIRC's Homepage `Search' button http://www.airc.gov.au/).
Generally, the ISYS-web search will be able to be applied to all the documents posted on the site (other than those which are scanned images). This will mean, for example, a search may be undertaken across all transcript over the course of the proceedings on any key words, phrases or linked words etc. Transcript will then be able to be edited - cut and pasted - and copied into other documents at the parties' convenience.
Transcript from each day's proceedings will also be posted on the site as soon as it is received from the transcription service provider (in addition to the direct e-mail service provided to parties).
2. How does the new system work?
The system comprises three elements: a site supported by the AIR's servers; AIR network cabling to the Members and Associate's bench and a wireless network that works without the use of any cabling.
The wireless network means parties will be able to access, in the court room, the Safety Net Review site without any cabling to their respective laptops. In fact, laptops can be carried around the court, as the network access is ubiquitous. This is because the link to the network is provided by a small wireless transmitter (`AirConnect') built into the court itself.
The transmitter works in the 2.4 GHz frequency range. For purposes of comparison, a home cordless telephone (not a mobile phone) works in the same band.
Parties will be able to access the site in the courtroom, and navigate at their own discretion, irrespective of what other users may be doing.
3. Can the site be accessed out of court, as well as in court?
The site will be able to be accessed by the parties outside the court (24 hours a day, seven days a week) by simply linking to the site address. That is, parties can access the site from their places of work or from home.
4. How and by whom will documents be published on the site?
Parties are asked to provide electronic copies of the documents they have filed or submitted to the following email address as soon as possible - safetynet.review@air.gov.au. The Registry will be responsible for posting the documents on the site.
5. If a party has a problem providing an electronic copy of a document, or compiling a document which has multiple formats, what should it do?
Any parties encountering difficulties in arranging multiple formats within a single document, or other problems, should contact Ms Jane Gibbons, Information Management and Technology Manager by email - jane.gibbons@air.gov.au or by telephone - (03) 8661 7826.
6. Will documents handed up during proceedings need to be provided electronically as well?
Wherever possible documents tendered during proceedings should be provided in electronic form as soon as possible to the email address - safetynet.review@air.gov.au. Where a document cannot be provided in electronic form, Registry staff will arrange for the document to be scanned, provided it is practical to do so.
7. When documents or submissions are posted onto the site, will the parties be notified?
When a submission is posted onto the site you will receive an automatically generated email informing you that the site has been modified, provided an email address has been supplied.
The posting of documents onto the site in no way alters the conventional requirements on a party to serve documents on other parties. The electronic system works in parallel with the conventional paper-based submissions process, and not in substitution for it.
8. Can the electronic documents on the web form be relied upon in proceedings?
For current purposes, the site is an aid to parties, but not a substitute for the paper-based submissions. Consequently, the paper-based submissions alone must be relied upon.
9. Who provides the laptops?
The Registry will provide the parties with laptops that are configured to access the wireless network in the courtroom. These will not be able to be removed from the courtroom.
Parties, of course, will be able to access the site outside of the courtroom on any desktop or laptop by dialling into the site's address.
10. How does a party make oral submissions as well as manipulate the laptop?
If a party wishes to use the laptop in the course of making an oral submission, a small laptop support table will be available, that may sit next to the existing lectern.
11. What happens if the electronic system `goes down'?
In the event the server fails, a back-up server will be utilised.
In the event that the back-up server fails, or there are any delays in accessing the site, the Registry, each morning will make a sufficient number of cd-rom copies of the site available for each party and member of the Full Bench.
Each cd-rom will include all of the imbedded documentation available on the site, bar documents that were part of external databases (e.g. links to the Federal Court etc). This means parties will be able to navigate the site from the cd-rom until such time as the servers are brought back on-line.
Cd-rom will be available to parties on request over the course of the proceedings. This will allow parties to work from the site at times they do not have access to the internet.
12. Will parties be able to examine documents independently on the site during proceedings?
Yes, each party can independently navigate the site, peruse documents, search databases etc. over the course of the proceedings.
13. Can parties post multiple files as part of one document?
Yes. The network can open most files. If parties have any doubts, they should telephone or email Ms Jane Gibbons.
14. Can parties include Internet links in their submissions (e.g. to authorities) that take readers directly to other sources (e.g. AIRC, Federal or High Court decisions)?
Yes, they can do this as long as they provide the complete URL. This will allow parties to access their authorities or footnote references directly.
15. Will the public have access to the site?
Yes. The site will be posted on the AIRC Homepage
16. What will happen to the site after the Safety Net Review hearings conclude?
The site will remain on the server and accessible by way of the AIRC Homepage. This may assist parties in case preparation in the context of any further relevant applications.