A Queensland magistrate has questioned why a man charged with two counts of rape did not appear in court.
The matter was mentioned in the Toowoomba Magistrates Court this morning.
He has been charged with the alleged rape of a woman in October 2021. He cannot be named for legal reasons.
Magistrate Kay Ryan questioned why he did not appear.
"He has a notice to appear today, why is he not here?" she asked.
The man's lawyer Rowan King explained he was interstate but he was available on the phone.
Mr King had submitted a medical report about why he could not appear.
The police brief of evidence is 95 per cent complete, police prosecutor Tim Hutton told the court.
Magistrate Ryan ordered a full brief of evidence by February 15 and the matter was adjourned until February 22.
The accused was granted bail on his own undertaking on the condition he does not contact the complainant and that surrenders his passport.
Under Queensland law, the identity of accused rapists cannot be revealed until they are committed for trial.
However, Queensland Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman late last year announced that the legislation would be changed, in line with a recommendation of the Women's Safety and Justice Taskforce.
