An attempt to ban the public from an insider trading tribunal was rejected after a judge ruled the interests of open justice were more important than protecting details of a businessman's private life.
The inquiry had been asked to allow Francis Cheung Nim-chee, a former vice-chairman of Chee Shing Holdings - now known as Tysan Holdings - to testify in closed court since details of his relationship with his secretary would be revealed.
'While one might be sympathetic to a person in such a situation, such sympathy is far outweighed by the principles of open justice,' tribunal chairman Justice Michael Burrell said.
It was alleged Mr Cheung gave his family flat in Hong Kong to former girlfriend and secretary Cammie Pang Kam-chi to allegedly avoid Australian tax.
Mr Cheung denied he did it to avoid tax or that he took part in any insider trading.
The tribunal heard that Mr Cheung, who was married at the time, began a relationship with Ms Pang before he emigrated to Australia in the 1980s.