Judgments

PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – Pleadings – application to file amended statement of claim – application to join additional respondents. 

PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – Where the applicant failed to appear at a listing before the Court relating to his judicial review application – application dismissed pursuant to r 22.04(1)(a)(i) of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) (General Federal Law) Rules 2025 (Cth). 

PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE - Fair Work Act -Adverse Action claim - Application for an extension of time to commence proceeding – Self-represented litigant - Application not opposed - Extension of time granted. 

CONSUMER PROTECTION – RECOVERY ACTION FOR MOTOR VEHICLE – Applicant seeks a declaration and orders for recovery of a vehicle under the Personal Property Securities Act 2009 (Cth) in respect of which it loaned moneys to the first respondent– Where the respondents each have not engaged in the proceedings – Finding that the Applicant is entitled to recovery of the vehicle under s.123 of the Personal Property Securities Act 2009 (Cth) – Declarations and orders made for recovery. 

INDUSTRIAL LAW – PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – application to strike out evidence of communications and documents made or prepared in connection with an attempt to negotiate a settlement of the dispute – whether any exceptions apply – whether the evidence and documents are admissible – application allowed – orders made striking the material out – orders made prohibiting inspection of the evidence and documents by any non-party.

INDUSTRIAL LAW – PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – application for security for costs – application of s 570 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) -  whether the applicant’s unreasonable act or omission caused the other party to incur the costs – where the applicant is self-represented – application dismissed

INDUSTRIAL LAW – alleged underpayments – finding that the applicant was underpaid certain entitlements – identity of employer – finding of accessorial liability – penalties to be determined.

MIGRATION – Partner (Temporary) (Class UK) (Subclass 820) visa - Application for judicial review – Whether Tribunal made jurisdictional error in dismissing review application after non-appearance - Whether applicant consented to waive hearing appearance - Application dismissed. 

MIGRATION – Judicial review – decision of Administrative Appeals Tribunal refusing to grant protection visa - where Tribunal exercised discretion to proceed in the applicant’s absence under s 426(1A)(a) and not under s 426(1A)(b) - no jurisdictional error established – application dismissed.  

MIGRATION – Judicial review – decision of Administrative Appeals Tribunal refusing to grant student visas – whether Tribunal ignored relevant material – whether failure by the Tribunal to disclose the existence of the s 376 certificate was material - no jurisdictional error established – application dismissed.   

MIGRATION – Protection Visa – refusal – review of Immigration Assessment Authority (“IAA”) decision – no matter of principle. 

MIGRATION – Review of Registrar’s summary dismissal decision – where originating application made out of time – Minister initially opposed extension of time and did not seek expedition of proceedings but later consented to extension and then sought summary dismissal which had effect of expedition – whether position of Minister contradictory – Registrar orders set aside.    

MIGRATION – judicial review – decision of Administrative Appeals Tribunal refusing to grant student visas – whether Tribunal ignored relevant material – whether failure by the Tribunal to disclose the existence of the s 376 certificate was material - no jurisdictional error established – application dismissed. 

MIGRATION – judicial review application – decision of Administrative Appeals Tribunal refusing to grant Temporary Skills Shortage (Class GK) visas – whether Tribunal erred in finding the applicant did not satisfy cl 482.222(a) – no jurisdictional error established – application dismissed. 

MIGRATION – judicial review – decision of Administrative Appeals Tribunal refusing to grant protection visa  - whether Tribunal misapplied s 36(2) of the Act - no jurisdictional error established – application dismissed.     

MIGRATION –  application for extension of time for judicial review of decision of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal – where applicant failed to disclose previous judicial review proceedings – failure to comply with s 486D – whether application incompetent – extension of time refused – application dismissed.    

MIGRATION – Temporary Graduate (Post Study Work Stream) (Subclass 485) visa - Application for judicial review – Whether jurisdictional error – IMMI 15/062-Whether IELTS test result satisfied Ministerial specification – Whether test result provided five months after application considered as accompanying visa application - Application dismissed. 

MIGRATION – application for judicial review of a decision of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal – whether the Tribunal considered evidence relevant to the question of whether the requisite relationship existed between the applicant and his sponsor – potential significance of the evidence within the context of the issue in question, the applicant’s claims and the Tribunal’s reasoning – writs issued.

MIGRATION – Protection Visa – refusal – review of Immigration Assessment Authority (“IAA”) decision – no matter of principle.

MIGRATION LAW – Whether the reasons of the Authority lacked an intelligible basis or failed to disclose a reasoning process which led to its decision – no jurisdictional error established – application dismissed.

MIGRATION – Whether it can be inferred from lack of reference to letters in reasons of Immigration Assessment Authority that the documents were overlooked – whether failure to consider claim squarely raised on materials. 

MIGRATION LAW – Whether the Tribunal failed to make its decision having regard to the best interests of a child being a primary consideration in its decision-making process – where Tribunal duly carried out its decision-making function – where no jurisdictional error established – application dismissed. 

MIGRATION – student visa – decision of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal – procedural fairness obligations – ss 359(2) and 359A of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) – whether the Tribunal was required to invite the applicant to a hearing – no jurisdictional error established – application dismissed. 

INDUSTRIAL LAW – Fair Work – failure to comply with compliance notices – application for civil penalties and orders for rectification under s 545(1) of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) – where respondents engaged only briefly in the proceeding and declarations made on the basis of their deemed admissions – where first respondent continues to trade and remains registered – where no evidence of contrition or introspection about the contraventions – where need for specific and general deterrence – jurisdiction under s 545(2)(b) not engaged where no quantifiable loss causally linked to the contraventions – orders for penalties and for a proportion of the penalties to be redirected to the employees identified in the compliance notices.

BANKRUPTCY – Whether moneys received “as a result of execution” – Where the County Court made a freezing order restraining the debtor from disposing of real estate –Where the Respondent subsequently obtained judgment in the County Court against the debtor – Where a bank as mortgagee in possession sold the real estate of the debtor and his wife under the terms of the freezing order as amended – Where the Respondent received moneys, namely the surplus proceeds of sale of the real estate after the presentation of a creditor’s petition against the debtor – Whether the Respondent as creditor received moneys “as a result of execution” under s. 118(1)(a)(i) of the Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth) and had to pay those monies to the trustee of the estate of the bankrupt – Held respondent did not receive moneys “as a result of execution”.

BANKRUPTCY – “Relation back” principle – Where Respondent received the moneys after “the commencement of the bankruptcy” because of the doctrine of “relation back” – Whether the Respondent had a defeasible title in the moneys or no title at all – Held because of the doctrine of relation back the Respondent had no title to moneys – Where Respondent disposed of the moneys before the date of sequestration by reducing his own debts.

AMENDMENT – Held that any application by the Trustees to recover the moneys was in the nature of an equitable claim in restitution – Where the court refused the Applicant permission to amend the application to include a claim in restitution at trial – Application dismissed.

MIGRATION – judicial review of decision of Administrative Appeal Tribunal to affirm decision to refuse protection visa – whether the Tribunal discharged procedural fairness obligations – whether interpreter errors infected credibility findings –materiality – jurisdictional error established. 

MIGRATION – whether the Tribunal erred in finding the applicant was not a genuine temporary entrant – where applicant contends that the Tribunal denied him procedural fairness and failed to consider his evidence and submissions – no jurisdictional error – application dismissed. 

MIGRATION – protection visa –application for extension of time to seek judicial review of Administrative Appeals Tribunal (Tribunal) decision – significant delay and insufficient explanation for the delay - limited prejudice to the Minister – limited arguable case of jurisdictional error - application for extension of time refused. 

MIGRATION – employer nomination (subclass 186) visa – refusal due to no approved nomination – application for review of registrar’s summary dismissal – no reasonably arguable error – futility of remittal – application dismissed. 

MIGRATION – Safe Haven Enterprise visa – decision of the Immigration Assessment Authority – whether the IAA was required to invite the applicant to an interview – whether certain information was required to be disclosed to the applicant – whether applicant was provided with sufficient information to meaningfully respond – no jurisdictional error established – application dismissed. 

PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE- personal costs award against solicitor – r 32.05 Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) (General Federal Law Rules) 2025 – referral to legal regulators.

PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – application for an extension of time to seek judicial review of a decision of the Administrative Review Tribunal – extension of time granted. 

COSTS – where security for costs application was filed after evidence was not provided supporting an alternative form of security proposed – where disclosure of matters relevant to the adequacy of the alternative occurred after the first hearing date of the security for costs application – where a commercial decision was ultimately taken to accede to the form of security originally sought – order that the applicant in the proceeding pay part of the respondent’s costs associated with the security for costs application. 

CORPORATIONS LAW – application for leave to commence or continue proceedings pursuant to s 471B of the Corporation Act 2001 (Cth) – whether this Court has jurisdiction to grant leave pursuant to s 471B.

INDUSTRIAL LAW – application alleging contravention of general protection provisions in Part 3-1 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth). 

INDUSTRIAL LAW –  unlawful termination - whether employer took adverse action in dismissing applicant from employment because she exercised workplace rights, possessed protected attributes and/or was temporarily absent from work  – single decision maker – allegations of serious misconduct related to processing of insurance policies – whether the proscribed matters were a substantial or operative reason for the adverse action taken – reverse onus discharged by employer – application dismissed.  

BANKRUPTCY – Whether moneys received “as a result of execution” – Where the County Court made a freezing order restraining the debtor from disposing of real estate –Where the Respondent subsequently obtained judgment in the County Court against the debtor – Where a bank as mortgagee in possession sold the real estate of the debtor and his wife under the terms of the freezing order as amended – Where the Respondent received moneys, namely the surplus proceeds of sale of the real estate after the presentation of a creditor’s petition against the debtor – Whether the Respondent as creditor received moneys “as a result of execution” under s. 118(1)(a)(i) of the Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth) and had to pay those monies to the trustee of the estate of the bankrupt – Held respondent did not receive moneys “as a result of execution”. 

BANKRUPTCY – “Relation back” principle – Where Respondent received the moneys after “the commencement of the bankruptcy” because of the doctrine of “relation back” – Whether the Respondent had a defeasible title in the moneys or no title at all – Held because of the doctrine of relation back the Respondent had no title to moneys – Where Respondent disposed of the moneys before the date of sequestration by reducing his own debts. 

AMENDMENT – Held that any application by the Trustees to recover the moneys was in the nature of an equitable claim in restitution – Where the court refused the Applicant permission to amend the application to include a claim in restitution at trial – Application dismissed.

MIGRATION – judicial review – decision of Administrative Appeals Tribunal refusing to grant student visa – Tribunal found applicant gave bogus document in relation to visa application within meaning of PIC 4020(1)  – Tribunal not satisfied there were compassionate or compelling circumstances which justified waiver of PIC 4020 – no point of principle – application dismissed. 

MIGRATION – temporary protection (class XD) (subclass 785) visa – review of decision of delegate of the respondent – judicial review – application for extension of time under s 477(2) of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) (Act) – where delegate found applicant was excluded fast track review applicant under s 5(1) of the Act – where delegate found the applicant provided bogus documents – applicant failed to provide reasonable explanation for providing bogus documents – whether delegate’s decision was illogical, irrational or unreasonable – admissibility of evidence – where evidence directed to questions of fact – evidence not admissible – merits of proposed application weak – not in the interests of justice to extend time – application for extension of time refused. 

MIGRATION – application for Skilled (Provisional) (Class VC) (Subclass 485) visa – Administrative Appeals Tribunal not satisfied that applicant met cl 485.212(a) of Schedule 2 of the Migration Regulations – delegate’s decision to refuse the grant of the visa affirmed – whether in interests of administration of justice to grant an extension of time application – no substantial merit to grant extension of time found – application dismissed.

MIGRATION -  application for judicial review – combined Partner (Temporary) (Class UK) (Subclass 820) and Partner (Residence) (Class BS) (Subclass 801) Visa – where Administrative Review Tribunal affirmed decision not to grant applicant the visa as applicant failed to satisfy cl 820.211(2)(d) of the Regulations – whether Tribunal erred by finding that no compelling reasons existed – found no jurisdictional error on behalf of the Tribunal – application dismissed. 

MIGRATION - application for judicial review – student (Temporary) (Class TU) (Subclass 500) visa – where Administrative Appeals Tribunal affirmed decision not to grant applicant the visa as applicant did not comply with cl 500.212(a) of the Migration Regulations – whether the Tribunal’s decision was affected by jurisdictional error – found no jurisdictional error on behalf of the Tribunal – application dismissed. 

PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – Application for transfer of proceeding to the Federal Court of Australia – relevant considerations.  
 

"CORPORATIONS – Corporate party placed in liquidation – whether s.500(2) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) imposed stay preventing court from delivering reserved judgment.

COURTS AND TRIBUNALS – Associated jurisdiction – nature of Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2)’s associated jurisdiction over matters arising under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) –  jurisdictional restriction imposed by s.58AA of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).

STATUTORY INTERPRETATION – generalia specialibus non derogant. "
 

MIGRATION – protection (class XA) (subclass 866) visa – review of decision of the former Administrative Appeals Tribunal (Tribunal) – where Tribunal affirmed the delegate’s decision refusing the applicant a visa – whether Tribunal’s decision attended by jurisdictional error – Tribunal’s decision not attended by jurisdictional error – application for judicial review dismissed. 
 

MIGRATION – whether the Tribunal erred in finding the first named applicant did not intend to genuinely stay in Australia temporarily – whether the Tribunal’s reference to Ministerial Direction No. 69 instead of Ministerial Direction 108 amounts to jurisdictional error – no jurisdictional error on the part of the Tribunal – application dismissed.
 

MIGRATION – Whether the Tribunal had truly considered all of the circumstances before cancelling the visa – Circumstances not fully considered – writs issued.  
 

MIGRATION – Where Tribunal found it did not have jurisdiction in circumstances where application was made 1 day out of time. 
 

MIGRATION – application for an injunction to restrain the Minister from exercising power of removal under s 198(5) of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) pending the determination of an application for review to the Administrative Review Tribunal of a decision not to grant a Bridging E visa on character grounds – whether the operation of s 198(5) is suspended or deferred for such time as is necessary for the application for review to be determined – operation of s 198(5) not suspended – application for an injunction is dismissed. 
 

MIGRATION – Review of decision of registrar dismissing application to reinstate judicial review proceeding – judicial review proceeding dismissed due to non-appearance of applicant at callover – whether applicant provided satisfactory explanation for non-appearance at callover – prospects of success of underlying judicial review proceeding  PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – Observations concerning abuse of process and consequences for applicant 
 

MIGRATION – Whether the Tribunal erred in finding that the applicant was not a genuine temporary entrant under cl 500.212 – where the Tribunal did not comply with a request for written reasons within the prescribed period under s 368D(4)(b) and this does not disclose jurisdictional error under s 368D(7)(b) – where the applicant contends the Tribunal did not afford him procedural fairness – where there is no jurisdictional error by the Tribunal – application dismissed 
 

MIGRATION – Whether the Tribunal erred in finding that the applicant was not a genuine temporary entrant under cl 500.212 – where the applicant contends the Tribunal failed to consider evidence –  no jurisdictional error by the Tribunal – application dismissed