The identity of a high-profile Queensland man involved in a Cairns extortion case will remain secret, following a decision by the state's supreme court. The court dismissed a legal challenge against an existing suppression order.
The man, referred to by the court as MM, was drawn into an extortion case earlier this year. He is not a party to the case and has not been accused of any offence.
Magistrate Gelma Meoli initially ordered the suppression of his identity in June, following an application by Queensland police commissioner Brett Pointing. This was done to avoid identifying the alleged female extortion victim, known as "the complainant".
Media organisations had applied for a judicial review, arguing that the court lacked the power to suppress his identity. However, Justice James Henry dismissed this challenge on Friday. The extortion case is continuing.