Is machine-generated information considered hearsay under Queensland Evidence Act?

Machine-generated information is not considered hearsay under the Queensland Evidence Act primarily because hearsay is defined as an out-of-court statement offered to prove the truth of its content, and it generally requires the involvement of a human declarant. Since machine-generated data is produced by a device or algorithm and does not involve a statement made by a person, it falls outside the traditional hearsay rule.

Additionally, the rationale behind hearsay rules is to ensure that the evidence is reliable, as it is subject to cross-examination. In the case of machine-generated information, it is typically considered objective data that reflects the operation or readings of a machine rather than subjective assertions of a human. Therefore, such information is usually treated as direct evidence rather than hearsay, allowing it to be admissible in court without the complex requirements that apply to human-generated statements.

This aspect aligns with the broader principles of evidence that focus on the reliability of the source of information. Factors such as the machine's integrity and the context in which the data is generated contribute to its credibility, but it does not invoke the hearsay rule.