Olbers Co Ltd v Commonwealth of Australia [2004] FCAFC 262

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA Olbers Co Ltd v Commonwealth of Australia [2004] FCAFC 262 FISHERIES – Fisheries Management Act 1991 (Cth)– Forfeiture of vessel under s 106A – Whether forfeiture effective on commission of offence – Seizure of vessel on the High Seas – Whether such seizure lawful under the Fisheries Act – Whether such seizure involved 'repossession' – Constitutional validity of forfeiture and seizure provisions Fisheries Management Act 1991 (Cth) Olbers Co Ltd v The Commonwealth of Australia (No 4) [2004] FCA 229 Re Director of Public Prosecutions Ex parte Lawler & Anor (1994) 179 CLR 270 Whim Creek Consolidated NL v Colgan (1991) 31 FCR 469 Li Chia Hsing v Rankin (1978) 141 CLR 182 Byrne v Australian Airlines (1995) 185 CLR 410 NT & Ors v Mengel & Ors (1995) 185 CLR 307 Ainsworth & Anor v Criminal Justice Commission (1992) 175 CLR 564 Bonser v La Macchia (1969) 122 CLR 177 Al-Kateb v Godwin [2004] HCA 37 Harper v Minister for Sea Fisheries & Ors (1989) 168 CLR 314 Re Tracey Ex parte; Ryan (1989) 166 CLR 518 Silbert v DPP (WA) (2004) 205 ALR 43 Plaintiff S157/2002 v Commonwealth (2003) 211 CLR 476

A Robertson, 'Liability of Public Officers' Australian Institute of Administrative Law Forum vol 34, 2002, p 25

OLBERS CO LTD v COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA & ANOR W73 OF 2004 BLACK CJ & EMMETT & SELWAY JJ 16 SEPTEMBER 2004 ADELAIDE (HEARD IN PERTH)

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

WESTERN AUSTRALIA DISTRICT REGISTRY W73 OF 2004

ON APPEAL FROM A SINGLE JUDGE OF THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

BETWEEN: OLBERS CO LTD

APPELLANT

AND: THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

FIRST RESPONDENT

AUSTRALIAN FISHERIES MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY

SECOND RESPONDENT

AND ATTORNEY GENERAL OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

INTERVENOR JUDGES: BLACK CJ & EMMETT & SELWAY JJ