Commonwealth of Australia v Anti Discrimination Tribunal (Tasmania) [2008] FCAFC 104

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Commonwealth of Australia v Anti‑Discrimination Tribunal (Tasmania) [2008] FCAFC 104

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW– complaint of discrimination on the basis of disability brought against Centrelink in the Tasmanian Anti‑Discrimination Tribunal – whether the Tribunal has jurisdiction to hear the complaint – whether Centrelink as a manifestation of the Commonwealthand immune from any suit thatinvokesState judicial power – whether Tribunal is a "court of a state" in which the judicial power of the Commonwealth can be invested.

Held (per Kenny J, Goldberg and Weinberg JJ not deciding): Tribunal exercises judicial power, but not Commonwealth judicial power; the Anti‑Discrimination Tribunal is not a "court of a state" and cannot receive federal jurisdiction; the Anti‑Discrimination Tribunal has no jurisdiction to hear or determine the complaint.

STATUTES– interpretation – whether Anti‑Discrimination Act 1998 (Tas)bindsthe Crown in right of the Commonwealth – whether Centrelink is a 'person' under the Anti‑Discrimination Act and can be made the subject of a complaint.

Held (per Weinberg and Kenny JJ, Goldberg J dissenting): Anti‑Discrimination Act 1998(Tas) does not bind the Crown in right of the Commonwealth; Centrelink is not a 'person' under the Anti-Discrimination Act.

ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – whether existence of Tribunal established.

Held (per Goldberg, Weinberg and Kenny JJ): Existence of Tribunal established – doctrine of presumption of regularity applies. Anti‑Discrimination Act 1998 (Tas): ss 3, 4, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 59, 62(1)(b), 64, 65, 68, 71, 72, 78, 85, 86, 86A, 87, 89, 90, 93, 95, 99, 99A, 100, 102, 103(1), 104(1)(a), 104(2), 104(3) Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth): s 20(1A) Commonwealth Services Delivery Agency Act 1997 (Cth): ss 3, 6, 6A, 7, 8(1)(a), 29, 35 Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth): ss 38, 39, 39B(IA)(a), 56, 64 Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) Acts Interpretation Act 1931 (Tas): ss 3, 4(1)(a), 6(6), 11(1), 21(1)(a), 27, 41(1), 43(1) Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW): s 6(2) State Service Act 2000 (Tas): s 3 Magistrates Court Act 1987 (Tas): ss 3, 15AA Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (Cth): s 15 Commonwealth Constitution: ss 71, 77, 109, Chapter III