Giddings v Australian Information Commissioner [2017] FCAFC 225

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Giddings v Australian Information Commissioner [2017] FCAFC 225 Appeal from: Giddings v Australian Information Commissioner [2017] FCA 677

File number: ACD 54 of 2017

Judges: COLLIER, FLICK AND CHARLESWORTH JJ

Date of judgment: 21 December 2017

Catchwords: ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – freedom of information – where delegate of the Information Commissioner decided not to continue with review – where decision of the Information Commissioner set aside on review – no error exposed PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – whether order should have been made for the proceedings to be held in camera pursuant to s 37AF of the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) – where onus on appellant to establish that order should be made – whether such an order was "necessary" in the circumstances – apprehended bias – whether claim of apprehended bias "firmly established" – whether allegations of bias irresponsibly advanced TORTS – misfeasance in public office – elements of the tort of misfeasance in public officer – whether administrative decision-maker's action pursued with knowledge or reckless indifference as to whether it was in excess of power – whether administrative decision-maker's action pursued with malice

Legislation: Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 (Cth) s 16 Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) ss 17, 37AF(1), 37AG, 50 (repealed) Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) ss 54W, 55K Federal Court Rules 2011(Cth) r 36.01(2)(c)

Cases cited: Australian Broadcasting Commission v Parish (1980) 43 FLR 129 Beaudesert Shire Council v Smith (1966) 120 CLR 145 Computer Interchange Pty Ltd v Microsoft Corporation [1999] FCA 198, (1999) 88 FCR 438 Dowling v Fairfax Media Publications Pty Ltd (No 2) [2010] FCAFC 28 Ebner v Official Trustee in Bankruptcy [2000] HCA 63, (2000) 205 CLR 337 Fernance v Nominal Defendant (1989) 17 NSWLR 710 Giddings v Australian Information Commissioner [2017] FCA 677 Hogan v Australian Crime Commission [2010] HCA 21, (2010) 240 CLR 651 Hogan v Hinch [2011] HCA 4, (2011) 243 CLR 506 House v The King (1936) 55 CLR 499 Livesey v New South Wales Bar Association (1983) 151 CLR 288 Lock v Australian Securities and Investments Commission [2016] FCA 31, (2016) 248 FCR 547 Macksville & District Hospital v Mayze (1987) 10 NSWLR 708 Northern Territory of Australia v Mengel (1995) 185 CLR 307 Outboard Marine Australia Pty Ltd v Byrnes [1974] 1 NSWLR 27 Park Oh Ho v Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs (1988) 20 FCR 104 Park Oh Ho v Minister of State for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs (1989) 167 CLR 637 Porter v OAMPS Ltd [2005] FCA 232, (2005) 215 ALR 327 Re JRL; Ex parte CJL (1986) 161 CLR 342 Repacholi Aviation Pty Ltd v Civil Aviation Safety Authority [2009] FCA 1487, (2009) 263 ALR 93 Rush v Commissioner of Police [2006] FCA 12, (2006) 150 FCR 165 Sanders v Snell (1998) 196 CLR 329