Zentai v Republic of Hungary [2007] FCAFC 48

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Zentai v Republic of Hungary [2007] FCAFC 48

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW – appeal from decision of primary judge dismissing application for prohibition on State magistrates conducting proceedings to determine whether appellants are eligible for surrender for extradition – whether the Commonwealth Parliament can impose an administrative duty on a State officer without State legislative approval – whether duty imposed on State magistrates under s 19 of the Extradition Act 1988 (Cth) is approved by State legislation – whether s 6(3)(b) of the Magistrates Court Act 2004 (WA) constitutes State legislative approval for the purposes of s 19.

Extradition Act 1988 (Cth), ss 5, 12, 15, 16(1), 22, 19, 46 Magistrates Court Act 2004 (WA), s 6 Interpretation Act 1984 (WA), s 36 Justices Act 1902 (WA), s 34 Zentai v Republic of Hungary [2006] FCA 1226, upheld Harris v Attorney‑General (Cth) (1994) 52 FCR 386, cited R v Hughes (2000) 202 CLR 535, referred to Melbourne Corporation v The Commonwealth (1947) 74 CLR 31, referred to Austin v Commonwealth (2003) 215 CLR 185, referred to CHARLES ZENTAI v REPUBLIC OF HUNGARY, STEPHEN HEATH, THE MAGISTRATES COURT OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA AND THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA WAD 273 OF 2006 VINCENT THOMAS O'DONOGHUE v IRELAND AND GRAEME NEIL CALDER WAD 267 OF 2006 MOORE, TAMBERLIN AND GYLES JJ 16 APRIL 2007 SYDNEY (HEARD IN PERTH) IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

WESTERN AUSTRALIA DISTRICT REGISTRY WAD 273 OF 2006

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

BETWEEN: CHARLES ZENTAI

Appellant

AND: REPUBLIC OF HUNGARY

First Respondent

STEPHEN HEATH

second Respondent

THE MAGISTRATES COURT OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Third Respondent