Luck v University of Southern Queensland [2009] FCAFC 73

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Luck v University of Southern Queensland [2009] FCAFC 73

ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – extent of jurisdiction of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal under s 55(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) to review decisions or deemed decisions upon requests for access to documents – requests made to a University incorporated under a State Act – where respondent is not an agency within the meaning of s 4(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – allegation of apprehended bias against primary judge – whether a fair minded lay observer might reasonably apprehend that the judge might not bring an impartial mind to the resolution of the proceedings PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – whether a judgment for one party against another under s 31A of the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) is interlocutory within the meaning of s 24(1A) – whether, absent an order giving leave to appeal, a purported appeal should be dismissed as incompetent – whether jurisdiction cannot be conferred upon the Court by consent Held: Leave to appeal refused.

Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (Cth) s 38 Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975 (Cth) ss 25, 44 Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) ss 24, 31A Federal Court Rules O 80 Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) ss 4, 11, 15, 55, 56 Higher Education Funding Act 1988 (Cth) ss 78, 112 Higher Education Support Act 2003 (Cth) ss 13-1, 16-1, 16-5, 16-10, 16-15, 19-1, 19-50, 238-1 Adam P Brown Male Fashions Pty Ltd v Philip Morris Inc (1981) 148 CLR 170 cited Agar v Hyde (2000) 201 CLR 552 cited Allesch v Maunz (2000) 203 CLR 172 cited Berowra Holdings Pty Limited v Gordon (2006) 225 CLR 364 discussed Bienstein v Bienstein (2003) 195 ALR 225 cited Bloch v Bloch (1981) 180 CLR 390 cited Bonnell v Deputy Commissioner of Taxation (No 5) [2008] FCA 991 cited Cockrell v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship [2009] FCA 444 cited Concrete Pty Limited v Parramatta Design and Developments Pty Limited (2006) 229 CLR 577 cited Decor Corporation Pty Ltd v Dart Industries Inc (1991) 33 FCR 397 applied Dent v Australian Electoral Commissioner (2008) 249 ALR 523 discussed Ebner v Official Trustee in Bankruptcy (2000) 205 CLR 337 applied General Steel Industries Inc v Commissioner for Railways (NSW) (1964) 112 CLR 125 cited Jefferson Ford Pty Limited v Ford Motor Company of Australia Limited (2008) 167 FCR 372 discussed Keynes v Rural Directions Pty Ltd (No 2) [2009] FCA 567 cited Luck v Chief Executive Officer, Centrelink [2009] FCAFC 54 followed Pham v Secretary, Department of Employment and Workplace Relations [2007] FCAFC 179 cited Re Cram; Ex parte NSW Colliery Proprietors' Association Limited (1987) 163 CLR 117 cited Re Luck (2003) 203 ALR 1discussed Sali v SPC Ltd (1993) 67 ALJR 841 cited Simundic v University of Newcastle [2007] FCAFC 144 discussed State of Queensland v J L Holdings Pty Limited (1997) 189 CLR 146 cited Stead v State Government Insurance Office (1986) 161 CLR 141 cited The Owners of The Ship "Shin Kobe Maru" v Empire Shipping Co Inc (1994) 181 CLR 404 cited Walton v Gardiner (1993) 177 CLR 378 cited Watson v Watson (1968) 70 SR (NSW) 203 cited White Industries Limited v Federal Commissioner of Taxation (2007) 160 FCR 298 discussed Wills v Australian Broadcasting Corporation (2009) 173 FCR 284 discussed Zoia v Commonwealth Ombudsman Department (2007) 240 ALR 624 discussed GAYE LUCK v UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND