NAAV v Minister for Immigration & Multicultural & Indigenous Affairs [2002] FCAFC 228

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

NAAV v Minister for Immigration & Multicultural & Indigenous Affairs [2002] FCAFC 228 CONSTITUTIONAL LAW – validity of privative clause enacted by s 474 of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) – whether privative clause is inconsistent with s 71, or s 75(iii) and (v) of the Constitution. ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – operation of privative clause – application of Hickman principle of statutory interpretation to privative clauses – application of Hickman principle of construction to s 474 of Migration Act 1958 (Cth). MIGRATION – power to grant protection visas – whether use of undisclosed independent information by Refugee Review Tribunal in a manner adverse to appellant, and contrary to assurances, constituted breach of rules of natural justice – whether s 474 applies to protect the decision to affirm the Minister's decision to refuse the application for a protection visa from review. MIGRATION – power to grant protection visas – where Refugee Review Tribunal misidentified the persons by whom the appellant claimed to have been persecuted – whether s 474 applies to protect the decision to affirm the Minister's decision to refuse the application for a protection visa from review. MIGRATION – power to grant Family (Residence) visas – where alleged that Migration Review Tribunal failed to consider that appellant provided financial or emotional assistance to a 'special need relative' so as to entitle appellant to visa – whether s 474 applied so as to protect the decision to affirm the Minister's decision to refuse the application for a Family (Residence) visa from review. MIGRATION – power to cancel permanent spouse visa – where visa cancelled while holder outside Australia, and holder detained as an unlawful non-citizen on return to Australia – where Minister's delegate cancelled visa under s 128 because she was satisfied that the grant of the visa was in contravention of the Act, but that satisfaction was affected by an error of law – whether s 474 applied so as to protect the cancellation decision (and consequent decision to detain) from review. MIGRATION – power to revoke cancellation of Business Entry visa – where visa cancelled while holder outside Australia, and decision to refuse to revoke the cancellation pursuant to s 131 made in absence of the notice of cancellation with content required by s 129 – whether s 474 applied so as to protect the decision to refuse to revoke the cancellation from judicial review. Constitution, ss 71, 75(iii), 75(v) Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth), s 39B, s 44 Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (Cth) ss 15, 15A, 15AA Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 (Cth) ss 3, 8 Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) s 23 Migration Act 1958 (Cth), ss 3A, 36, 65, 116, 128, 129, 131, 424A, 474, 475, 475A, 476 Migration Legislation Amendment (Judicial Review) Act 2001 (Cth) Migration Legislation Amendment (Procedural Fairness) Act 2002 (Cth) R v Hickman; Ex parte Fox and Clinton (1945) 70 CLR 598, followed R v Drake-Brockman; Ex parte Northern Colliery Proprietors' Association [1946] ALR 106, followed R v The Commonwealth Rent Controller; Ex parte National Mutual Life Association of Australasia Ltd (1947) 75 CLR 361, followed R v Central Reference Board; Ex parte Thiess (Repairs) Pty Ltd (1948) 77 CLR 123, followed R v Murray; Ex parte Proctor (1949) 77 CLR 387, followed R v The Commonwealth Court of Conciliation & Arbitration; Ex parte Grant (1950) 81 CLR 27, followed R v Metal Trades Employers' Association; Ex parte Amalgamated Engineering Union, Australian Section (1951) 82 CLR 208, followed R v Kelly; Ex parte Berman (1953) 89 CLR 608, followed R v The Members of the Central Sugar Cane Prices Board; Ex parte The Maryborough Sugar Factory Ltd (1959) 101 CLR 246, followed The Coal Miners' Industrial Union of Workers of Western Australia v Amalgamated Collieries of Western Australia Ltd (1960) 104 CLR 437, followed R v The Commonwealth Conciliation & Arbitration Commission; Ex parte The Amalgamated Engineering Union (Australian Section) (1968) 118 CLR 219, followed R v Judges of the Commonwealth Industrial Court; Ex parte Cocks [1969] ALR 161, cited R v Coldham; Ex parte The Australian Workers' Union (1983) 153 CLR 415, followed O'Toole v Charles David Pty Ltd (1991) 171 CLR 232, followed Construction, Forestry, Mining & Energy Union v Australian Industrial Relations Commission (1999) 93 FCR 317, cited Re Alcan Australia Ltd; Ex parte Federation of Industrial, Manufacturing & Engineering Employees (1994) 181 CLR 96, applied Darling Casino Ltd v New South Wales Casino Control Authority (1997) 191 CLR 602, considered Deputy Commissioner of Taxation of the Commonwealth of Australia v Richard Walter Pty Ltd (1995) 183 CLR 168, considered Minister for Immigration & Multicultural Affairs v Eshetu (1999) 197 CLR 611, applied Corporation of the City of Enfield v City Development Assessment Commission (2000) 199 CLR 135, applied R v Connell; 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