Comcare v Lilley [2013] FCAFC 121

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Comcare v Lilley [2013] FCAFC 121 Citation: Comcare v Lilley [2013] FCAFC 121

Appeal from: Lilley v Comcare [2013] FCA 26

Parties: COMCARE v WAYNE PETER LILLEY

File number: ACD 9 of 2013

Judges: KERR, FARRELL AND MORTIMER JJ

Date of judgment: 1 November 2013

Catchwords: ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – Delegated legislation – Legislative instrument – Guide to the Assessment of the Degree of Permanent Impairment – Whether prescribed criteria of impairment fix objective standards that can be applied with certainty – Whether prescribed criteria of impairment invalid – Whether medical evidence not based on clinical testing relevant to assessment STATUTORY INTERPRETATION – "Unable" – Whether "unable" should be construed as requiring an activity to be impossible for a person to complete or perform – Leeder v Mayor of Ballarat East [1908] VLR 214 PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – Application to amend Notice of Contention made without notice at hearing of appeal – Interests of the administration of justice – Leave to amend refused on most grounds – Costs of appeal apportioned

Legislation: Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975 s 44(1) Legislative Instruments Act 2003 (Cth) s 13(1) Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (Cth) ss 4, 14(1), 24, 28

Cases cited: Akiba v Commonwealth (2013) 87 ALJR 916 Cann's Pty Ltd v Commonwealth (1946) 71 CLR 210 Canute v Comcare (2006) 226 CLR 535 Certain Lloyd's Underwriters Subscribing to Contract No IH00AAQS v Cross (2012) 293 ALR 412 Comcare v Moon (2003) 75 ALD 160 Commissioner for ACT Revenue v Alphaone Pty Ltd (1994) 49 FCR 576 H v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (2000) 63 ALD 43 Herald-Sun TV Pty Ltd v Australian Broadcasting Tribunal (1985) 156 CLR 1 King Gee Clothing Co Pty Ltd v Commonwealth (1945) 71 CLR 184 Lacey v Attorney-General (Qld) (2011) 242 CLR 573 Leeder v Mayor of Ballarat East [1908] VLR 214 Lidono Pty Ltd v Federal Commissioner of Taxation (2002) 191 ALR 328 Lilley v Comcare (2013) 209 FCR 275 Murphy v Farmer (1988) 165 CLR 19 Parker v Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities [2011] FCA 1325 Parker v Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (2012) 205 FCR 415 Project Blue Sky Inc v Australian Broadcasting Authority (1998) 194 CLR 355 South Australia v Tanner (1989) 166 CLR 161 Television Corporation Ltd v Commonwealth (1963) 109 CLR 59 Teoh v Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs (1994) 49 FCR 409 Whittaker v Comcare (1998) 86 FCR 532