The slavery offence under s 270.3(1) Criminal Code 1995 (Cth) is a course of conduct offence; the jury need not be unanimous as to the specific facts constituting the offence but must be satisfied of the elements beyond reasonable doubt. The fourth element identified by [name withheld] in R v [name withheld] (that the accused must have regarded the person as mere property) is not an element of the offence following the High Court's decision in R v [name withheld], but directing on it as an additional element is not prejudicial as it is favourable to the accused. Failure to comply with the mandatory direction requirements of s 21A(8) Evidence Act 1977 (Qld) constitutes an error of law regardless of defence counsel's failure to object. Whether the recent complaint exception extends to non-sexual offences where sexual conduct is a particular of the charged offence remains an open question.
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