Schlieske, J.I. v The Honourable Young, M. for Immigration & Ethnic Affairs [1987] FCA 764
Federal Court of Australia
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+ pORSMENT No.1b4 feb
CATCHWORDS
Immigration - "sham" extradition - whether abuse of deportation
power.
Estoppel - whether interlocutory, as distinct from final,
judgment can constitute an estoppel by record.
Singh v. Mahoney, unreported, 16 May 1986, per Everett J. - not
followed.
G.324 of 1987
JENS INGO LUTZ SCHLIESKE v. THE HONOURABLE MICHAEL JEROME YOUNG
MINISTER OF STATE FOR IMMIGRATION AND ETHNIC AFFAIRS & ORS
G.361 of 1987
. JENS INGO LUTZ SCHLIESKE v. ROSS WILLIAM ROBILLIARD
Coram: Beaumont J.
Place: Sydney
Date: 23 December 1987
IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA
NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY No. G324 of 1987
No. G361 of 1987
wwe ww
GENERAL DIVISION
No. G324 of 1987
BETWEEN: JENS INGO LUTZ SCHLIESKE
Applicant
AND: THE HONOURABLE MICHAEL
JEROME YOUNG MINISTER OF
STATE FOR IMMIGRATION AND
ETHNIC AFFAIRS
First Respondent
THE HONOURABLE LIONEL FROST
BOWEN ATTORNEY-GENERAL OF
AUSTRALIA
Second Respondent
COMMISSIONER OF THE
AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL POLICE
Third Respondent
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC
PROSECUTIONS
Fourth Respondent
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
Fifth Respondent
No. G36l1 of 1987
BETWEEN: JENS INGO LUTZ SCHLIESKE
Applicant
AND: ROSS WILLIAM ROBILLIARD
Respondent
MINUTES OF ORDER
COURT: BEAUMONT J.
DATE ORDER MADE: 23 DECEMBER 1987
WHERE MADE: SYDNEY
THE COURT ORDERS:
G.324 of 1987
1. Application dismissed.
2. Make no order as to costs of the application.
G.361 of 1987
1. The respondent be restrained from requiring Lufthansa
German Airlines to receive the applicant on board any
of its aircraft.
2. Make no order as to the costs of the application.
Note: Settlement and entry of orders is dealt with in Order
36 of the Federal Court Rules.
IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA
NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY No. G324 of 1987
No. G361 of 1987
wwe
GENERAL DIVISION
No. G324 of 1987
BETWEEN: JENS INGO LUTZ SCHLIESKE
Applicant
AND: THE HONOURABLE MICHAEL
JEROME YOUNG MINISTER OF
STATE FOR IMMIGRATION AND
ETHNIC AFFAIRS
First Respondent
THE HONOURABLE LIONEL FROST
BOWEN ATTORNEY-GENERAL OF
AUSTRALIA
Second Respondent
COMMISSIONER OF THE
AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL POLICE
Third Respondent
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC
PROSECUTIONS
Fourth Respondent
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
Fifth Respondent
No. G361 of 1987
BETWEEN: JENS INGO LUTZ SCHLIESKE
Applicant
AND: ROSS WILLIAM ROBILLIARD
Respondent
CORAM: BEAUMONT J
PLACE: SYDNEY
DATE: 23 DECEMBER 1987
REASONS FOR JUDGMENT
Mr. Schlieske, the applicant, seeks to restrain the
execution of an order for his deportation to the Federal
Republic of Germany. The applicant's case is that the attempt
to deport him is, in truth, a "disguised" extradition and, as
such, 1S bad as an abuse of the Commonwealth's deportation
power (see Barton v. The Commonwealth (1974) 131 C.L.R. 477
per Barwick C.J. at pp.483-5; per Mason J. at pp.503-4; R.v
Governor of Brixton Prison; Ex parte Soblen [1963] 2 Q.B. 243
per Lord Denning M.R. at p.302; and see the discussion by
I.A. Shearer in International Law _ in Australia, Ryan (Ed.),
2nd ed. at pp.187-9).
The applicant says that he 1s willing to leave this
country of his own accord. He has been held in custody since
August 1986. He claims that the Australian immigration
authorities propose to convey him to an aircraft owned by
Lufthansa, a German airline, into the custody of officers of
the German police force to be conveyed to Germany.
The matter has a long and complicated history. The
applicant is a German citizen and a prohibited non-citizen for
the purposes of the Migration Act 1958. On 6 February 1985, a
warrant for the arrest of the applicant was issued by a German
court. On 12 August 1986, the applicant was arrested and
taken into custody by officers of the Australian Federal
Police pursuant to a warrant issued on 28 July 1986 under the
Extradition (Foreign States) Act 1966 ("the Extradition Act").
On 26 September 1986, a magistrate ordered that the applicant
be released from custody. On the same day, the applicant was
arrested and detained in custody pursuant to s.38 of the
Migration Act. On 30 September 1986, the Federal Republic of
Germany applied to this Court under s.17A of the Extradition
Act for review of the magistrate's decision. On 3 October
1986, Sheppard J., pursuant to the power conferred by s.17A(4)
of that Act, ordered that the applicant be kept in custody
until further order. On the same day, the first respondent,
the Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs, by his
delegate, Mr. J.R. Tuchin, ordered that the applicant be
deported from Australia. On 24 October 1986, Sweeney J.
ordered that the magistrate's decision be quashed and ordered
the committal to prison of the applicant to await the warrant
of the Attorney-General for his surrender to the Federal
Republic of Germany. The applicant appealed against this
decision and on 3 March 1987, a Full Court allowed the appeal,
ordered that the Republic's application for review be
dismissed and rescinded the order that the applicant be kept
in custody (see (1987) 71 A.L.R. 215). On the same day, the
applicant was arrested pursuant to a warrant issued under the
Extradition Act. On 28 May 1987, a magistrate ordered that
the applicant be committed to prison to await the warrant of
the Attorney-General for his surrender to the Federal Republic
of Germany. On 3 July 1987, Burchett J. held that the
material presented to the magistrate did not entitle him to
make a valid order of committal and ordered that the applicant
be released. On 9 July 1987, a stay of the order made by
Burchett J. was removed by consent.
On the same day, a written direction expressed to be
pursuant to s.39 of the Migration Act was issued to the
Superintendent of the Metropolitan Remand Centre at Malabar,
New South Wales. This directed that the applicant be kept in
custody at that institution pending deportation. On 9 July,
the applicant instituted proceedings in the Court (No. G31l of
1987) against the Minister, Mr. Tuchin and Mr. Robilliard,
another officer of the Department of Immigration and Ethnic
Affairs, seeking judicial review of the decisions that the
applicant be held in custody and that he be deported. The
applicant claimed, inter alia, that the deportation order was
a "disguised" extradition. Interim relief was sought. On 14
July, Gummow J. dismissed the application for interlocutory
relief on the ground that there was no serious question to be
tried. On 17 July, Gummow J. dismissed the application in
matter No. G31l of 1987 without opposition. At the same time,
his Honour gave the applicant leave to file in Court the
application in the first of the present matters (No. G324 of
1987) and, without opposition, ordered that the Minister be
restrained from executing the deportation order dated 3
October 1986 up to and including 12 August. Gummow J. fixed
11 and 12 August for the final hearing of the matter. On 3
August the applicant commenced proceedings No. G361 of 1987
seeking judicial review of Mr. Robilliard's decision under
$.22(1) of the Migration Act to make a requirement to
Lufthansa German Airlines to receive the applicant on board an
aircraft for conveyance to Frankfurt. This application was
returnable on 11 August. On that day, I commenced hearing
both matters. The hearing continued on the following day.
During the course of addresses, counsel for the
applicant sought leave to amend by adding the Commonwealth as
a party. The respondents opposed the amendment but, for
reasons I gave on 3 September, I granted leave to the
applicant to amend generally and also gave leave to the
respondents to re-open their case. I stood the further
hearing over to a date to be fixed. On 14 October 1987, the
parties agreed on a fresh timetable. A direction was then
given, by consent, that the applicant file an amended
statement of claim by 28 October 1987. In fact, an amended
statement of claim was not filed until 17 December, although a
draft document in substantially the same terms had been given
to the respondents' solicitors some weeks earlier. Because of
the delay, the respondents opposed the amendment. By way of
explanation for the delay it 1s said on behalf of the
applicant, and accepted by the respondents, that the applicant
changed his solicitors and his counsel was ill for some three
weeks. However much the delay is to be regretted (and 1t will
be remembered that the final hearing of the matter was
expedited in July) the respondents cannot point to any
specific prejudice if the amendments were to be allowed at
this late stage. The respondents' solicitors have requested,
and been furnished with, further and better particulars of the
amendments. Counsel for the respondents says that, 1f the
amendments were to be allowed, he would not seek to re-open
his case. Except in respect of costs, the respondents cannot
point to any specific prejudice if the amendments were to be
allowed. On the other hand, if the amendments were to be
refused, the applicant would be effectively deprived of the
opportunity to present the case he now seeks to advance. The
delay in bringing the amendments forward must be seen against
the speed with which the litigation, given its complexity, was
brought on to a final hearing. I allow the amendments but
order that the applicant pay the costs of and occasioned by
the amendments on a solicitor and client basis. I dispense
with service of the amended statement of claim and I dispense
with any further pleadings.
The foregoing is an outline of the history of the
matter. It is necessary now to mention the details. The
applicant first entered Australia on 26 June 1985; for the
purpose of securing entry, he produced an Italian passport
issued under another name and endorsed with an Australian
visa. He was granted a temporary entry permit which was valid
until 24 August 1985; he was subsequently granted two further
temporary entry permits. The second of these was for a period
to expire on 26 December 1985. The applicant departed
Australia under the name of the person identified in the
Italian passport. He did so on 25 December 1985. The
applicant returned to Australia on 29 June 1986 and it is the
circumstances of this entry into Australia which are recited
1n the terms of the deportation order made on 3 October 1986.
On this occasion, the applicant produced a Swiss passport
issued in the name of another person and again endorsed with
an Australian visa. The applicant was granted a temporary
entry permit. This entry permit was for a stay of six months.
By the operation of s.16(1)(b) of the Migration Act, the
applicant was deemed to be a prohibited non-citizen in that
for the purpose of entering into Australia he had produced to
an officer of the Department a passport that was not issued to
him; by s.18 of that Act, the Minister may order the
deportation of a person who is a prohibited non-citizen.
On 12 August 1986 the applicant was arrested by
officers of the Australian Federal Police in Sydney on the
extradition warrant. He remained in custody until his release
at St. James Local Court on 26 September 1986, when it was
found that the evidence against him did not comply with the
requirements of the Extradition Act. The applicant was then
arrested pursuant to the power contained in s.38 of the
Migration Act following his release from custody in the
extradition matter. By s.38(1) of the Migration Act, an
officer may, without warrant, arrest a person whom he
reasonably supposes to be a prohibited non-citizen.
On 29 September 1986, the Ambassador of the Federal
Republic of Germany spoke to Mr. H.F. Woltring, First
Assistant Secretary, Criminal Law and Security Division,
Attorney-General's Department, about the extradition
proceedings. The respondents have objected to this evidence
and other evidence of communications by or to officers of the
Attorney-General's Department as hearsay and as irrelevant.
In my opinion, the material is relevant in adjectival terms at
least, to the case sought to be made by the applicant, that
is to say, a case of "disguised extradition" on the whole of
the facts of the case. The material is not hearsay for
present purposes. It 18 not sought to use it as evidence of
the truth of its contents: its relevance is the fact that a
statement in the terms stated was made, not the truth or
otherwise of the underlying facts. It was also submitted on
behalf of the respondents that communications originating from
the Attorney-General's Department were not admissible as
against the Department of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs. But
these Departments do not have any separate legal personality.
The Departments of State are established pursuant to s.64 of
the Constitution; as s.64 provides, they are administered by
officers appointed for that purpose. But the Departments do
not have any separate corporate existence; their function is
to exercise the executive power of the Commonwealth. In my
opinion, it is open to the applicant to seek to make a case of
"disguised" extradition by reference to communications made by
branches of Government other than statements made by officers
of the Department of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs. It
follows, in my view, that the material is admissible.
According to Mr. Woltring's file note dated 29
September 1986, the Ambassador was informed that it was
proposed to appeal and to amend the regulations 1f the appeal
failed. The note continues:
"I explained that the chances of success of the
appeal was only 50/50 but that this was necessary
in order to maintain Schlieske in extradition as
opposed to immigration custody. Immigration
custody could lead to deportation with Australia
having no say as to the country in which Schlieske
might disembark..."
According to a memorandum to Mr. Robilliard dated 1
October, prepared by Mr. R. Wilson, Mr. Robilliard''s superior
officer, Ms. Deborah Henville, an officer in the office of the
Director of Public Prosecutions, informed Mr. Wilson on 1
October that she had obtained a warrant for the arrest of the
applicant under the Extradition Act; Mr. Wilson then informed
her that he agreed to the applicant's release "from Imm.
custody" as from 2 October 1986. The note continues:
"T have told Ms Henville that we will stand aside
during extradition matter and if subject is
released on bail so be it - i.e. we would not use
Sec 38 to service extradition matters. However if
matter resolved and subject released we would again
take up deportation aspect.
AFP will contact re mechanics (DO submission to go
ahead in any event)."
("DO" 1s a reference to the deportation order which, it will
be recalled, bears date 3 October).
According to a file note prepared by Ms. Dianne
Stafford, an officer of the Attorney-General's Department, Mr.
Kuster, an official at the German Embassy, spoke to her as
follows:
"Embassy has telex from his ministry of justice
asking whether we could deport. They would collect
him etc if we ordered deportation.
I advised our courts do not approve of what we term
"disguised extradition" which deprives fugitives of
their rights under extradition law. We cannot
openly deport in FRG police custody. He to inform
his authorities. I told him of progress to date."
Again the respondents object to this, and other
similar material to which I will refer. The objection is put
on the grounds of hearsay and irrelevancy already mentioned.
It may be that the statements in the documents should be
10.
admitted, even if hearsay, by virtue of the "business records"
provisions of Part IIIA of the Evidence Act 1905. But it 1s
not necessary to pursue this. For reasons previously given,
this and the further material should be admitted. I note that
the respondents have indicated that, in the event that this
and the other material objected to be admitted, they would not
wish to call any further evidence.
On 2 October 1986, Ms. Henville informed Mr. B.
Bannerman, an officer of the Attorney~General's Department of
developments in the extradition proceedings. Mr. Bannerman's
note added:
'Fugitive currently at Long Bay and will be released
from Immigration detention and re-arrested under an
extradition warrant at approximately 12 noon and
the matter is listed before court at 2.15.
She is concerned as to the possibility of bail
because he has already been released by a
Magistrate last Friday on the extradition matter
and is only held under Immigration warrant.
However Immigration cannot re-arrest him 1f he 1s
granted bail and we cannot be involved in
deportation which 1s a "disguised extradition".'
On 3 October, Ms. Henville again spoke with Mr.
Bannerman. His note of the conversation was as follows:
'Immigration has Deportation Order.
I undicated that could not be executed while the
appeal was on foot and our instructions are that
the appeal should proceed.
She will reinforce this with Immigration 1e. 1f he
is granted bail today pending the hearing of the
appeal the D.O. cannot be meanwhile executed.
This would be "disguised extradition".'
ll.
By s.38(7) of the Migration Act, an authorised
officer may at any time order the release of a person who 18
in custody under that section. On 3 October, acting pursuant
to this provision, Mr. Robilliard ordered the release of the
applicant.
On 10 October, Mr. Wilson recorded the following
conversation with Mr. Woltring concerning the applicant:
"Spoke to H. Waltring (sic) AG's CBA re above he
said that the W. Germans were concerned that if
subject were deported rather than extradited he may
abscond en route.
Informed Mr. Waltring (sic) of our position i.e.
would not use Mig. Act to facilitate extradition.
He understood and appreciated Dept''s position."
The file of the office of the Director of Public
Prosecutions records the following:
"10/10 Dick Wilson spoke to Waltring (sic) -
brick wall - bending over backwards to help
Germans - extrad. safer than deportation"
According to Mr. Wilson's file note dated 12
February 1987:
",...Paul McMahon D.P.P. phoned to advise that an
appeal had been lodged against his (Schlieske)
extradition and that AGS proposed, in the event
that the appeal was successful to utilize the
provisions of the Migration Act to hold Mr.
Schlieske pending an AGS appeal.
Informed McMahon that the M.A. could not be used
for purposes other than deportation, that if the
extradition matter failed and no further
extradition action was taken the Dept would then
look at the question of deporation but the M.A.
could not be used to hold a person for purposes
other than deportation."
In a memorandum to Mr. Robilliard concerning the
12.
applicant dated 3 March, Mr. Wilson wrote:
"Jens Schlieske
2.3.87 Paul McMahon DPP, phoned to advise that A/n
[abovenamed] was to (appear) at the Federal Court
3.3.87 re his appeal against extradition - Mr.
McMahon was not confident that the crown case would
succeed. He sought in essence this depts
endorsement to utilize the custody provisions of
the M.A. to hold subject pending an appeal against
an adverse decision. I informed Mr. McMahon that
the proposal was unacceptable to this Dept.
It was suggested to him as it had been suggested on
previous occasions that the simplest most efficient
method would be to utilize the DO. That proposal
was not acceptable to AGS who felt obliged to
pursue prosecution to satisfy the extradition
arrangement with the Germans.
Mr. McMahon also advised of his intention if
extradition failed to pursue charges under the
Passports Act and sought again this departments
endorsement to utilize the custody provisions of
the M.A. to move subject from the Federal Court to
the lower court to lay charges. Similarly in the
event (likely) that he is granted bail they sought
to utilize the M.A. to hold in custody pending a
hearing. .
Informed Mr. McMahon that all those proposals re
custody were unacceptable to this Department.
Several phone calls followed along the same lines
in the last of which Mr. McMahon advised that in
the event that the extradition matter failed no
appeal would be lodged and it was not intended to
proceed with the passport matter - however in the
event that there was a change of heart with regard
to the passport matter a warrant would be sought
but without enthusiasm - one can only wonder at the
logic in that exercise.
I have agreed in the event that the extradition
fails to take subject into 39 [1.e. s.39 of the
Migration Act which authorises the arrest of a
deportee] custody, either at the court if he is
present or by serving a warrant on Corrective
Services and having an officer serve the DO and
i/ving [interviewing] subject. I would then in the
absence of any circumstance militating against the
move to effect early deportation."
On 3 March, Mr. Wilson directed Mr. Robilliard to
13.
serve a "warrant" under s.39 of the Migration Act. On that
date, Mr. Robilliard served a direction under s.39 on the
Chairman of the New South Wales Department of Corrective
Services, directing that the applicant "be kept in your
custody pending deportation until he is placed on board a
vessel for deportation." On the same day, Mr. McMahon
informed Mr. Wilson that the appeal had been allowed but that
he had obtained a further extradition warrant. Mr. McMahon
asked for the withdrawal of the custody order served that day.
Mr. Wilson directed Mr. Robilliard to do so and on that day
Mr. Robilliard served a release order on the Chairman,
Department of Corrective Services.
As has been said, on 3 July, Burchett J. ordered that
the applicant be released from custody. On that date, Mr. C.
Levingstone, an officer of the Department of Immigration and
Ethnic Affairs, noted the stay of the order made by Burchett
oes he also noted that the deportation order had not been
served. Mr. Levingstone recommended service "ASAP". Below
this note is a reference to "Herman Waltering (sic) - A.G.'s -
CBA" - apparently a reference to Mr. Woltring but it does not
appear who wrote this. There are further references, on this
note, to Detective/Sergeant D. Clarke (an officer of the
Australian Federal Police) and to Mr. Kuster. It is not clear
who added these references but they may have been written by
Mr. G. Clarke, an officer of the Department of Immigration and
Ethnic Affairs. I shall return to this later.
On 5 July, Detective Sergeant Clarke sent a vocadex
14.
message to other branches of the Australian Federal Police
reporting on the orders made by Burchett J. and adding the
following:
"A deportation order under section 39 of the
Migration Act is in existence and the Dept of
Immigration is prepared to immediately deport
Schlieske to West Germany under escort should the
F.R.G. request this action."
It appears that this vocadex was also sent to the
Attorney~General's Department. On a copy of the vocadex the
following note appears:
"From Denis Foot AG Dept. Info. this VDU not to be
forwarded to F.R.G. A.G. Dept aware of
deportation order and appeal has _ been lodged
against decision."
It appears that this notation was made by Mr. K. Inwood of
Interpol.
(In fact, no appeal was lodged and the stay was
removed on 8 July.)
On 5 July, Mr. Bannerman recorded the following
discussion with Mr. Foot:
"8.15p.m. Denis Foot phoned me at home Sunday 5
July (8.15) re Schlieske.
- He had just received a call from Kev. Inwood of
Interpol
- Interpol has received a message from AFP
Eastern Region which they request be passed to
Interpol Weisbaden
- The message says that a deportation order
against Schlieske is current and asks whether
FRG wishes us to deport Schlieske.
- I asked Denis to phone Inwood back immediately
and advise that the message should not be sent.
15.
- Any deportation of Schlieske straight after the
Federal Court on 3 July had rejected the second
extradition request could be regarded as being
disguised extradition ie. while there was an
appeal on foot - I would be discussing with Mr.
Woltring and Dr Chaikin first thing tomorrow
morning what course should now be adopted.
- I noted that although Schlieske was back 1n
custody since the Federal Court had granted a
stay (because it was notified an appeal would
be lodged), the grounds for appeal do not look
good from my reading of Burchett J's decision
as handed down on 3 July.
- However McMahon had told me on 3 July that FRG
police would like to lay further charges.
- Accordingly perhaps the desirable course 1s for
a new extradition request to be made with the
new charges and to withdraw the appeal.
Denis will phone Inwood at Interpol and ask that
the AFP message to FRG not be sent."
The events of 6 and 7 July are controversial. It 1s
convenient to commence with three memoranda written by Mr. G.
Clarke concerning the applicant as follows:
"Spoke with Mr. Bartholme1, Consul at the Consulate
General for the Federal Republic of Germany.
He will check his file on Schlieske and advise what
will be required to issue T/Doc [travel documents]
to facilitate his return to Germany.
G.S. Clarke C& CD
6 July 1987
Spoke with the German Embassy Canberra. Mr. Kuster
will ring back am 7/7/87 re above A/N [abovenamed]
G.S. Clarke C& CD
6/7/87
(1) Mr. Kuster advised that they would instruct
German Consul in Sydney to issue travel doc on
arrangements of travel (2) Should travel on LH
[Lufthansa] service to Frankfurt as German Federal
Police officers would be on board to take Schlieske
1nto custody as soon as he boarded aircraft.
16.
G.S. Clarke C & CD
7/7/87"
Mr. G. Clarke was cross-examined as to his reasons
for contacting Mr. Kuster as follows:
""You first called Mr Kuster on 6 July did not
you?---That is correct.
Why did you call him?---I was advised by the consul
in Sydney that I should ring the Embassy in
Canberra to obtain a travel document or see what
steps would be needed to obtain a travel document.
Are you sure of that answer?~--Well Mr Bartolome1
who is a new vice-consul with the German Consulate
in Sydney was not readily aware of the case and to
the best of my recollection at the time he said he
will check his frles but maybe that I should ring
the embassy direct in Canberra.
you see, before you just gave that answer you
glanced at folio 117 in the department's files did
not you, or your affidavit? Sorry, before you gave
your answer you just glanced at the particular part
of your affidavit did you?---Possibly.
{Folio 117 1s the page on which Mr. Clarke's three
memoranda dated 6 and 7 July appear.]
Could it have been that someone had suggested to
you that you should speak with Mr. Kuster on or
about 3 July 1987?---No, sir. The first - I can
honestly say that the first time that Mr. Kuster
had been mentioned was 1n a conversation with Mr.
Bartholomei and the only explanation I can give 1s
possibly that I had not had the folio of 117 at the
time, and I have just written down Mr. Kuster when
Mr. Bartholomei has told me the gentleman's name
and this is why the little dots are over the u,
because he was emphasizing the German spelling of
Kuster."
[It will be remembered that below Mr. Levingstone's
note dated 3 July, reference appeared to Messrs.
Woltring, D. Clarke and Kuster.]
I am not satisfied that Mr. G. Clarke's recollection
of the circumstances in which the first respondent contacted
Mr. Kuster is reliable. I am not prepared to accept his
17.
evidence on the point unless corroborated. In particular,
I
am not satisfied with his attempt to explain the handwriting
at the bottom of Mr. Levingston's note. Mr. Clarke gave this
evidence in cross-examination about that handwriting:
"Are you able to recognize that handwriting?---No, I
am sorry, it is - - -
Do you see immediately below that the words Mr.
Kuster, underlined?---yes.
Are you able to say whose handwriting 1s
that?---That 1s my handwriting.
Do you agree that on or shortly after 3 July 1987
you made that note, Mr. Kuster, on the file?---It
was certainly after the 3rd and possibly I have had
the file open and when I have been speaking I have
written down Mr. Kuster when possibly Mr.
Bartholomei has been spelling out his name before I
transcribed 1t onto a fresh memorandum.
That is just speculation on your part, is not
it?---That is correct.
In the ordinary course when you make a note which
is 1untended for the file, you make a discrete note,
do not you, and date it?---That is correct.
So you cannot recall, you cannot tell the court how
those words came to be placed on a page dated 3
July 1987?---Not with any certainty, no."
On 6 July, officers of the Attorney-General's
dated 7 July from Mr. Bannerman to Interpol, Canberra,
follows:
2. PLEASE PASS THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE TO
INTERPOL WIESBADEN
QUOTE
WITH REFERENCE TO YOURS OF 7 JULY PLEASE
NOTE THAT AUSTRALIAN LAW DOES NOT ALLOW
AUSTRALIAN AFP OFFICERS OR ANY OTHER LAW
ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO ESCORT PERSONS
Department met with Mr. Kuster. This appears from a telex
as
18.
BEING DEPORTED FROM AUSTRALIA.
ATTORNEY-GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT, CANBERRA,
HAD FURTHER DISCUSSIONS WITH MR D. KUSTER
OF FRG EMBASSY, CANBERRA, APPROX. 1600
HOURS 6 JULY IN WHICH OUR CONSIDERED VIEW
WAS CONVEYED TO HIM NAMELY THAT PREFERRED
COURSE WOULD BE FOR FRG AUTHORITIES TO
SUBMIT THIRD EXTRADITION REQUEST
PREFERABLY WITH ADDITIONAL CHARGES. IT
IS STRESSED THAT IF ADDITIONAL CHARGES
ARE POSSIBLE THESE SHOULD BE INCLUDED
WITH THE FRESH REQUEST AND IT IS ALSO
STRESSED THAT THE FRESH REQUEST SHOULD BE
RECEIVED BY ATTORNEY-GENERAL 'S
DEPARTMENT, CANBERRA, URGENTLY."
On 7 July, Mr. J. Mahoney, Assistant Secretary,
Compliance Branch of the Department of Immigration and Ethnic
Affairs, made the following note in the applicant's file:
"I spoke to Mr. H Woltring on the SCHLIESKE matter.
He advised that he expected that the extradition
proceedings in relation to Schlieske would be
tossed out tomorrow. I said that under the
circumstances DIEA would then take action to
enforce the existing deportation order. Under
normal circumstances, I would expect that the order
would be executed within about 7 days ie. the time
required to arrange for a booking.
Mr. Woltring said that he expected that the West
German authorities might approach us again to
reinstate the proceedings. I said that I accepted
that if this was to occur that the extradition
proceedings would prevail over the Migration Act
but that we would not delay deportation simply
because of some possibility that extradition might
be sought.
I subsequently spoke to Mr Wilson in the Sydney
Regional Office and advised him of the above. He
will arrange with the local office of AGs for a
DIEA officer to be present in the Court and for
Schlieske to be taken into custody 1f he was
released from the extradition custody.
He said that the solicitor for Schlieske had
already been in contact with them and had advised
that there was nothing that Schlieske wanted
considered further in relation to the deportation
order. Mr. Wilson noted that although the order
was signed on 3 October, it had not been served on
19.
Schlieske. It would appear that Schlieske would
still be able to challenge this in the Federal
Court as the 28 day period starts from the time
when a decision is made or from when a Statement of
Reasons is provided if requested."
On 7 July, Interpol Wiesbaden sent this telex to
Interpol Canberra (Australian Federal Police):
"YOUR REFERENCE NUMBER IP/D/66/86/31 CONCERNING
INTERNATIONAL SEARCH FOR THE GERMAN NATIONAL
SCHLIESKE FNS JENS INGO, BORN 28 JUNE 1960
FRANKFURT/MAIN, ON SUSPICION OF INTERNATIONALLY
ORGANIZED ILLEGAL DRUG TRAFFICKING. ACCORDING TO
THE INFORMATION CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AT THIS END,
YOU PLAN TO DEPORT SCHLIESKE FROM AUSTRALIA. IN
THIS CASE, IT IS SUGGESTED THAT SCHLIESKE IS
ESCORTED BY THE TWO CASE OFFICERS OF THE SYDNEY
FEDERAL POLICE, DETECTIVE SERGEANT DAVID CLARKE AND
DETECTIVE SERGEANT IAN DICKENSON. THE FOLLOWING
ITINERARY IS PROPOSED:
DEPARTURE SYDNEY ON THURSDAY, 9 JULY 1987, AT 13:00
HOURS ON FLIGHT QUANTAS QF 5, ARRIVAL MELBOURNE AT
14:20 HOURS. DEPARTURE FROM MELBOURNE TO SINGAPORE
ON 15:25 HOURS, ARRIVAL SINGAPORE AT 21:05 HOURS.
DEPARTURE FROM SINGAPORE TO BANGKOK AT 22:30 HOURS,
ARRIVAL BANGKOK AT 23:40 HOURS. DEPARTURE FROM
BANGKOK TO FRANKFURT AT 01:00 HOURS ON 10 JULY
1987, ARRIVAL FRANKFURT AT 08:00 HOURS. THE COSTS
FOR SCHLIESKE AND THE TWO OFFICERS WILL BE MET BY
THE GERMAN AUTHORITIES.
PLEASE PASS ON THIS MESSAGE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO
THE SYDNEY FEDERAL POLICE.
THANKS FOR YOUR COOPERATION."
By telex dated 7 July, this message was relayed by
Interpol Canberra to other branches of the Australian Federal
Police and to the Attorney-General's Department, for the
attention of Mr. Foot. On the telex received by that
Department, there appears the following handwritten note:
"Advise Kuster FRG Embassy of above and of our
response."
These matters were the subject of Mr. Bannerman's
telex to Interpol Canberra dated 7 July already mentioned.
20.
Mr. Bannerman's advice was then telexed to Wiesbaden by
Interpol Canberra on the same day.
As has been seen, on that day (7 July) Mr. Kuster
spoke to Mr. G. Clarke and discussed travel documents, the
Lufthansa service to Frankfurt and German Federal Police
officers.
Mr. G. Clarke was cross-examined on his note as
follows:
"Did you believe that his suggestion that as soon as
Schlieske got on this flight to Frankfurt he was to
be taken into the custody or would be taken into
the custody of two German police officers as
improper?---I did not make any - or did not have
any thoughts about 1t at the time. My job was just
to facilitate a deportation and I was only
preparing travel, and I did not know the full
background. I did not take any - I did not have
any thoughts as to whether it was proper or
improper.
You made no suggestion at all in reaction to Mr
Kuster's suggestion - to Mr Kuster at the time you
spoke?---No, no; I did not discuss the rights or
wrongs with Mr Kuster.
But you may have referred this conversation or
recited the conversation to your superiors?---That
is correct. It would be quite probable but I
cannot fully - - -
Quite probable?---It would probably would have been
recited but I cannot remember whether or how it was
worded.
It would have been recited, would it, to Mr.
Robilliard?---It would have been as my superior
officer.
You do not recall Mr Robilliard reacting in any
way?---I cannot recall now, I am sorry."
Mr. Robilliard gave this evidence:
21.
"And do you say that in your view no reasonable
person reading that [i.e. the page upon which Mr.
Clarke's three memoranda dated 6 and 7 July
appear] could have thought 1t relevant to the issue
before Mr Justice Gummow of disguised
extradition?-~-There is no indication to me there
that Mr Clarke accepted any of what he said. He
has just recorded what was said to him."
Why then did you not include the note made by Mr
Clarke on 6 and 7 July 1987, concerning his
conversation with Mr Kuster from the German
embassy?---Because what that conversation does is
indicate the thinking of Mr Kuster's, not of
anybody ~ not a departmental officer. I did not
feel obliged to explain Mr Kuster's thinking; only
departmental officers.
I see. Did not the fact that no affirmation of Mr
Kuster proposal having appeared on that file note
established that the department had not in fact
agreed to that proposal and that it was therefore
relevant for that purpose?---No, there 1S no
mention of agreement or disagreement. There was
just no comment on it. Mr Clarke has recorded 1t
as a statement of what Mr Kuster has said but to me
it does not give any insight into the thinking of
departmental officers.
So you in fact made a conscious decision not to
include that document amongst those annexed to your
affidavit of 14 July 1987?---Well, I did not
consciously ponder that at any great length. I
went through the file, selected those documents
that I thought were relevant to establishing the
thinking of people within the department and to me
that did not appear to be such a document.
It certainly establishes the knowledge of the
department of proposals made by the West German
government, does not it?---Yes.
But you did not regard that as relevant to the
proceedings before Mr Justice Gummow, 1s that
correct?---If we were not intending to act upon it,
no."
On 7 July, Mr. Robilliard wrote a memorandum to Mr.
Wilson with reference to the deportation order dated 3 October
1986. Mr. Robilliard pointed out that because of the
extradition proceedings:
22.
"we have been unable to invoke the DO as required by
[s.] 20 of the Migration Act.
In the event that the proposed extradition of [the
applicant] is unsuccessful, this Dept. has a lawful
obligation to effect the D.O."
Mr. Robilliard said that, for this purpose, an
officer of the Department called on the applicant at Long Bay
Prison on 6 July. He concluded:
"If, as a result of a Federal Court ruling,
extradition does not proceed, it is recommended
that the existing DO be invoked as soon as
possible."
Mr. Wilson noted his agreement with the
recommendation.
On 8 July, Mr. Bannerman sent a telex to Interpol
Canberra with a request that it be transmitted to Interpol
Wiesbaden. The telex sought advice from the German
authorities whether they wished to lodge a third request for
the extradition of the applicant. The remaining options were
said to be to execute the deportation order or to lodge a
third request. The telex continued:
",.e-although [the applicant] can be held in
immigration custody pursuant to deportation order,
he is able to challenge the deportation order and
would have good chances of success as being a form
of disguised extradition..."
On the same day (8 July), Mr. Bannerman made the
following file note:
"McMahon advises that Schlieske's solicitor 1s
having the matter listed tomorrow for appeal to be
lodged.
23.
- We will speak with DIEA to see if they will
take him into Immigration custody pending
receipt of further extradition request.
- Spoke with Dick Wilson of DIEA - not their
policy to do so.
- Mr Woltring then spoke with Mr John Mahoney of
DIEA who agrees will take in immigration
custody on basis that no extradition
proceedings on foot once appeal withdrawn.
- If we then receive fresh request from FRG with
fresh charges then Extradition Act will
override Migration Act and can be transferred
to extradition custody (upon appropriate
procedures being followed) - as long as such
request received within the usual time it takes
for DIEA to execute a Deportation Order which
he says is approximately 7 days.
- Mahoney is confident Schlieske would not
succeed on ADJR challenge because of Mahoney v
Dillon Federal Court decision of approximately
six months ago which said in part that decision
to execute deportation order is not a
reviewable decision under ADJR. * - in any
event the Order dates from 3/10/86 and
therefore Schlieske would be out of time to
challenge - but could get special leave.
* (re s.20 Migration Act order)."
On 8 July, Mr. Wilson prepared the following file
note:
"Bruce Bannerman AGS CBA (719210) phoned am 8/7/87
to ascertain this departments position should AG'S
appeal against the decision in the extradition of
A/ned [ abovenamed, i.e. Schlieske] either fail or
be withdrawn.
Informed Bannerman that our position had not
altered i.e. 1f AGS matters were finalised and this
meant no outstanding matters were held we would
move to give effect to the DO. Bannerman said that
in all possibility they would withdraw this appeal
tomorrow and have nothing further to offer but were
hopeful of getting further info from Germany which
would enable further charges to be laid.
Informed Bannerman that when this department became
involved it would be to effect deportation not
facilitate extradition and the Migration Act could
24,
not be used for purposes other than those
concerning migration matters.
Herman Waltring AGS C.0O. 719699 was called in to
participate in the discussion he past (sic) much
the same matters as Bannerman and cast doubt as to
whether the DO would if implemented withstand
challenge and cited a High Court case where
deportation was considered to be a vehicle for
extradition.
I told Waltring that 1f£ they were no longer
involved I was prepared to go on the D.O. but had
difficulties in that given that they had informed
me that they still wished to pursue extradition.
Informed Waltring that I would speak to John Lynch
Legal and get back.
John Lynch contacted he will speak to Waltring and
advise."
On 8 July, Mr. Wilson wrote this note to Mr.
Robilliard:
"Ross - at this stage we can only act on the basis
that no further extradition action is in train and
move to D.O.
In the absence of advice to the contrary from Legal
pls have DO served and subject arrested under
Sec.39."
On the same day (8 July), Mr. Wilson wrote again to
Mr.Robilliard referring to Mr. John Mahoney, Mr. Wilson's
superior officer:
"John Mahoney CO has conferred with AGS and decided
that we will proceed with deportation order if
extradition fails as is expected.
Ross
l. have DO served and subject arrested under Sec
39 8 July 1987.
2. call upon carriers (DO signed under Sec 16) to
remove."
Mr. Bannerman made the following note on 8 July:
25.
"1700 hrs - spoke with Paul McMahon - advised that
when the matter 1s listed tomorrow for appeal to be
lodged and set down he should advise court that
appeal will not be instituted.
- I am to confirm in writing.
- Also, advised McMahon that had spoken with
Mahoney of DIEA and that DIEA will hold in
migration custody for usual period (7 days) but
they understand we could receive ae fresh
extradition request within that time and that
EFS [Extradition (Foreign States)] Act would
then override Migration Act.
- He should liaise with Dick Wilson/Robilliard of
DIEA with whom Mahoney will have spoken."
On 9 July, the Australian Federal Police sent the
following telex to Interpol Canberra:
",..FOLLOWING THE DECISION OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S
DEPARTMENT, CANBERRA, THE ABOVE EXTRADITION MATTER
WAS BROUGHT BEFORE JUSTICE GUMMOW ON 09 JULY 1987
AT THE FEDERAL COURT, QUEEN'S SQUARE, SYDNEY AND
THE NOTICE OF APPEAL ON BEHALF OF THE FEDERAL
REPUBLIC OF GERMANY HAS WITHDRAWN BY MR. MCMAHON OF
D.P.P.
SUBSEQUENTLY A STAY OF RELEASE OF THE FUGITIVE
PREVIOUSLY ORDERED BY JUSTICE BURCHETT ON 03 JULY
1987 WAS LIFTED AND SCHLIESKE WAS ORDERED RELEASED
FORTHWITH.
THE DEPARTMENT OF IMMIGRATION, SYDNEY THEN ADVISED
THAT THE ABOVENAMED FUGITIVE WAS TAKEN INTO THEIR
CUSTODY UNDER SECTION 39 OF THE MIGRATION ACT AS A
PROHIBITED NON CITIZEN. A DEPORTATION ORDER HAS
BEEN SIGNED BY THEIR MINISTER AND SCHLIESKE WILL BE
HELD AT THE METROPOLITAN REMAND CENTRE, LONG BAY
PENDING HIS DEPORTATION FROM AUSTRALIA ON A DATE TO
BE DETERMINED.
PLEASE PASS THE ABOVE INFORMATION TO GERMAN
AUTHORITIES."
A copy of this telex was sent to the
Attorney-General's Department.
On 9 July, the deportation order was served on the
26.
applicant at the Metropolitan Remand Centre. A copy of a
"custody order" under s.39 was also served.
On the same day, Mr. Wilson made the following file
note:
"Jens Schlieske
1600 hrs 9/7/87
W. O'Brien' Sol [solicitor] Phoned re _ A/ned
[abovenamed] to advise that he was at the Federal
Court waiting to see a judge to obtain a stay on
the deportation of Aned [abovenamed]. He advised
that he was seeking the review on merits; when
asked to explain he said that the deportation was a
defacto extradition.
He also asked the view of the dept to 1) voluntary
departure and 2) country of destination. With
regard to 2 I told him that the destination
mattered little as long as he would be permitted to
land at the other end and in that regard expected
he may have difficulties obtaining a T/D [travel
document] for travel to other than Germany. With
regard to 1 given the nature of his offences I
would have to put the question of revocation and
vol to the delegate."
Mr. Robilliard was cross-examined as follows as to
his understanding of events at this point:
"And in fact the actual execution of the deportation
order began at the point at which Schlieske ceased
to be bound or in custody pursuant to the
Extradition (Foreign States) Act, did not
it?---Yes, I would say 9 July.
The 9th, yes. So, by 9 July you had taken some
preliminary steps in relation to the deportation
order, formed an intention to deport him to West
Germany and knew that the West German government
proposed or intended to have German police officers
on board whatever flight Mr. Schlieske left Sydney
from?---Yes.
»+eYou knew, did you not, that the West German
government proposed to take Schlieske into custody
27.
as soon as the flight left Sydney by police
officers for the purpose of making certain that
Schlieske arrived in West Germany on_— that
flight?---I did not know that; what they were
intending to do or for what purpose, I did not
know. I had some knowledge that they intended to
have officers there and that 1s about as far as my
knowledge goes."
Later, Mr. Robilliard agreed in cross~examination
that he turned a blind eye to what the German authorities were
proposing to do because "it was not relevant to our purpose."
On 9 July, Interpol Canberra informed the German
authorities by telex that the applicant had been released
under the extradition proceedings but that he had been taken
into custody by the Department of Immigration pending
deportation. A copy of the telex was sent to the
Attorney-General''s Department.
On 10 July, Mr. Robilliard wrote to Qantas Airways
Limited:
"I attach a Requirement under Section 21(3) of the
Migration Act 1958 for the removal from Australia
of Jens Ingo Lutz Schlieske. The subject entered
Australia on 29 June 1986 from Manila in the
aircraft Qantas flight QF 20.
On 3 October 1986 a delegate [of] the Minister for
Immigration and Ethnic Affairs signed a deportation
order against Jens Ingo Lutz Schlieske who is
presently in custody at the Metropolitan Remand
Centre, Long Bay Prison Complex.
You are obliged pursuant to sub-section 4 of
Section 21 of the Migration Act 1958 to satisfy
this Requirement within a period of 30 days after
receipt or within such further time as the Minister
may allow. I must add however the Minister has
stated he will not allow any extension of the
thirty day period unless very special circumstances
exist..."
28.
By s.21(3) of the Migration Act, 1t 1s provided:
"(3) Subject to sub-section (6) of this section,
where the Minister has ordered the deportation of a
person,...an authorized officer may, by notice in
writing,
require the...owner...of the vessel in
which the deportee arrived in Australia to provide,
without charge to the Commonwealth, a passage for
the deportee to the place at which he boarded the
vessel when he came to Australia.
By s.21(6):
"(6) Where sub-section (3) applies in relation to a
deportee but the Minister is satisfied that the
deportee
re-enter
will not or may not be permitted to
the place referred to in that sub-section,
the Minister shall exempt the persons on whom a
requirement under that sub-section has been or
could be
made from liability under the preceding
provisions of this section in respect of the
deportee
Minister
if arrangements to the satisfaction of the
are made by all or any of those persons
for payment to the Commonwealth of such sum as the
Minister
respect
passage
thinks reasonable in the circumstances in
of the cost, or part of the cost, of a
for the deportee to some other place
outside Australia."
The document under s.21(3) served on Qantas re
1t to provide
a passage for the applicant to Manila.
July, Qantas issued a ticket to that destination. The t
which showed a fare of $722, bears the note "endorsed
[Lufthansa] ".
in his affid
"6.
The endorsement was explained by Mr. G.
avit as follows:
On 14 July, 1987, I was told by an
officer of Qantas: "Qantas has complied
with the requirements of a direction
under section 21(3) of the Migration Act
and has issued to Mr. Schlieske an open
Sydney/Manila ticket. We have endorsed
that ticket to Lufthansa German Airlines
to allow Mr Schlieske to return to West
Germany" or words to that effect.
Annexed hereto and marked "B" is a copy
of my file note dated 14 July, 1987
recording that conversation...E1ther
during that conversation or within a few
quired
On 10
icket,
to LH
Clarke
29.
days prior to it an officer of Qantas had
said to me words to the effect of "We
don't want to carry Mr Schlieske for
security reasons". I did not request
Qantas that it endorse the ticket issued
by it to the applicant across' to
Lufthansa.
7. On that same day, I contacted Lufthansa
Reservations and obtained a booking for
the applicant on a one-way economy-class
ticket to Frankfurt, West Germany on
flight LH 791 scheduled to depart Sydney
Kingsford Smith Airport at 12.45pm 18
July, 1987."
Mr. Clarke was cross-examined as to a discussion he
had with a Qantas security officer on about 10 July as
follows:
"Can you recall having a discussion on 10 July 1987
with a person from Qantas responsible for security
matters concerning Mr Schlieske's deportation?---I
possibly have had conversations with him - I have
had, but I cannot remember whether it was 10th or
what day it was.
Now, you were aware on 10th were not you that there
had been several unsuccessful attempts to extradite
Mr Schlieske to West Germany?---I was aware that Mr
Schlieske had been - attempted to extradite but I
knew they were unsuccessful but I was - I did not
know anything else about it, I just knew that this
was - he was subject to an extradition which did
not - - -
And you knew on 10 July that the West German
government proposed to have two police officers on
board a flight taking Mr Schlieske from Sydney to
West Germany?---Mr Kuster indicated that there
would be or may be, as the file note says, but,
yes, I did know that they were planning on this but
I---
And you knew that they were willing to arrange a
flight from Sydney on Lufthansa German Airlines to
West Germany for that purpose?---They were willing
to, they were willing to arrange a flight, yes.
And when you had a conversation with a security
officer of Qantas on or about 10 July 1987, you
told that security officer - you gave the security
officer that information, did not you?---We are
obliged to advise the carrier of the background for
30.
the security of the aircraft that they may deem
whatever measures that they wish to take to
maintain security of the aircraft or passengers.
And in order to be helpful to Qantas you advised
them that the West German government would be happy
to take the matter over, so why do not they endorse
their ticket to Lufthansa?---I have no recollection
of requesting Qantas to endorse a ticket to
Lufthansa and I have no recollection of saying that
the West German government would be happy to take
it over.
Did not you tell a security officer of Qantas on or
about 10 July 1987 the contents of what Mr. Kuster
told you concerning the German government's
preparedness to have Schlieske leave Australia on a
Lufthansa flight---I may have."
It would seem likely that Mr. Clarke did discuss with
Qantas at least the possibility that Lufthansa would carry the
applicant to Frankfurt.
By letter dated 14 July, Mr. Clarke informed the
German Consul in Sydney of the proposal to deport the
applicant to Frankfurt by Lufthansa airlines and requested the
issue of a travel document for travel on 18 July.
On 14 July, the application for interim relief was
dismissed by Gummow J. On that day, Mr. Bannerman made the
following file note:
"After receiving message from Mr Woltring that
Federal Court today rejected Schlieske application
for stay I phoned -
1. Robilliard of DIEA, Sydney, who confirmed
Schlieske booked on Lufthansa flight
Saturday 18/7 and that Kuster had been
advised.
2. Kuster, FRG Embassy Canberra - he has
advised FRG Police (BKA) and they will
decide if send escort officers and where
to etc."
31.
Mr. Bannerman was not called. Mr. Robilliard said in
cross-examination that he first spoke to Mr. Kuster on 17
July. Indeed Mr. Robilliard could not recall speaking to Mr.
Bannerman on 14 July. I find it difficult to accept either
claim by Mr. Robilliard. There is no reason to doubt the
reliability of Mr. Bannerman's note which, for this purpose,
should be admitted as a "business record" under s.7A and s.7B
of the Evidence Act 1905 (see s. 7A(1) (see the definition of
"business" para.(b); the definition of "document" para.(a);
the definitions of "proceeding", "qualified person" and
"statement"); s.7A(2); 7A(3). See also s.7B(1) and (2);
s.7E; s.7F; s.7G) as evidence of the truth of its contents.
I think it 1s likely that it accurately reflects what
transpired and that Mr. Robilliard has forgotten that he had
spoken to both Mr. Bannerman and Mr. Kuster on or about 14
July.
On 15 July, Lufthansa issued a first-class ticket in
the name of the applicant from Sydney to Frankfurt. The
ticket, which showed a fare of $3,310, was issued at
Wiesbaden.
On 16 or 17 July, Lufthansa informed Mr. Clarke that
the Lufthansa ticket was available for collection. When he
realised that it was a first-class ticket, Mr. Clarke returned
it to Lufthansa.
On 16 July, Mr. Bannerman made the following file
32.
notes:
"Kuster, FRG Embassy phones to inform me that FRG
escort officers have left on Lufthansa flight on
16/7 and will arrive 17/7
- names - Trauter and Glomb
- he has also advised DIEA, Sydney."
On 16 July, Mr. Robillard made a note on the file
that Mr. John Stankevicius (of the Department of Immigration,
Canberra) telephoned and informed Mr. Robilliard that he
wanted overseas ports, Australian Federal Police or Interpol
to be given details of the applicant's travel arrangements.
On that day, Mr. G. Clarke accordingly sent a telex to
Interpol Canberra which in turn transmitted the information to
the Attorney-General's Department and the German authorities
in Wiesbaden. On 16 July, Interpol Canberra sent a telex to
the Department of Immigration for the attention of Mr. Clarke
referring to his telex and enquiring whether or not the
applicant would be escorted by a Government official for any
part of his journey. On the same day, Interpol Wiesbaden sent
a telex to Interpol Canberra stating that the applicant "will
be accompanied by German officers, Kriminalhauptkommissar Hans
Trauter and Kriminalkommissar Heinrich Glomb. Please have his
onward journey supervised..." A copy of the telex was sent to
the Attorney-General's Department.
On 16 July, Mr. Clarke gave instructions to Ms.
Loretta Baxter, another officer in the Department, to prepare
a requirement under s.22 of the Migration Act. It was signed
on that date by Mr. Robilliard. It required Lufthansa to
33.
receive on board on 18 July for conveyance to Frankfurt both
the applicant and an officer charged with the custody of the
applicant.
On 17 July, Mr. W.P. O'Brien, the applicant's
solicitor, spoke to Mr. Robilliard. Both Mr. O'Brien and Mr.
Robilliard gave evidence. Mr. Robilliard's version of the
conversation, which Mr. O'Brien accepted in cross~examination,
was as follows:
"During that conversation Mr. O'Brien said to me
"There are two West German Police Officers who
arrived in Australia today. Will you confirm that
they are intending to arrest Mr Schlieske when he
boards the plane?" or words to that effect. I said
to Mr O'Brien "I have heard that two police offices
have arrived from West Germany but I do not know
what they intend to do. I suppose that safety of
aircraft or passengers is a legitimate concern to
the airline carrier and 1t would be reasonable to
expect them to take some security measures" or
words to that effect."
Reference should next be made to the issues in the
proceedings as disclosed in the pleadings. In matter G.324 of
1987, the proceedings under s.39B of the Judiciary Act 1903,
the application seeks first, an injunction restraining the
Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs, the first
respondent, "from executing an order for the deportation of
the applicant by way of conveyance to the Federal Republic of
Germany"; secondly, an injunction restraining the Minister
from requiring the master, owner, agent or charterer of an
aircraft to receive the applicant on board for conveyance to
the Federal Republic of Germany. By his amended statement of
claim in this proceeding, the applicant, after reciting the
forensic history of the matter, alleges that between October
34.
1986 and July 1987 the Attorney-General, the second
respondent, the Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police,
the third respondent and the Director of Public Prosecutions,
the fourth respondent, by their respective agents counselled
and procured the Minister for Immigration to execute the
deportation order by way of:
(a) arranging for the involuntary conveyance of the
applicant from Australia in the custody of
the...agents of the Federal Republic of Germany;...or
alternatively
(b) anvoluntary conveyance of the applicant from Australia
to the Federal Republic of Germany (para.13A).
Alternatively, the applicant alleges that the
Attorney-General and the Commissioner of the Australian
Federal Police by their agents and the Commonwealth, the fifth
respondent, by its agents communicated with the agents of the
Minister for Immigration and the agents of the Federal
Republic of Germany for the purpose of ensuring that the
deportation order would be executed in the manner described in
(a) and (b) above (para.14); it is further said that the
agents of the Minister for Immigration knew of these matters
and failed to prevent the attempted execution of the
deportation order in the manner alleged (para.14A).
Alternatively, it 1s alleged that in July 1987, the
Minister for Immigration by his agents commenced to execute
the deportation order "by way of the involuntary conveyance of
35.
the applicant from Australia to the Federal Republic of
Germany." (para.15)
It is then said that this conduct of the Minister for
Immigration by his agents is unlawful in that -
(a) the power of the Minister to deport the applicant is
being or will be exercised for an improper purpose,
that is, the extradition of the applicant against his
will to the Federal Republic of Germany;
(b) insofar as the Migration Act purports to authorise
the Minister to deport the applicant against his will
to a particular destination, it is ultra vires the
Constitution (para.16). (On behalf of the
applicant, it 1s accepted that in the light of the
decision in Znaty v. Minister for Immigration (1972)
126 C.L.R. 1, this 1s a formal submission only.)
It is then said that the conduct of the
Attorney-General, the Commissioner of the Australian Federal
Police and the Director of Public Prosecutions 1s unlawful as
an abuse of power by encouraging the Minister for Immigration
to execute the deportation order for the improper purpose
alleged (para.17). It 1s further claimed that the
Attorney-General, the Commissioner and the Commonwealth acted
unlawfully in that they attempted to execute the deportation
order for an improper purpose, that is, the extradition of the
applicant against his will to the Federal Republic of Germany
(para.18).
36.
In proceedings No. G361 of 1987, the applicant seeks
to review the decision of Mr. Robilliard under s.22(1) of the
Migration Act requiring Lufthansa to receive the applicant on
board an aircraft for conveyance to Frankfurt. By s.22(1) and
(3)3
"(1) The master, owner, agent or charterer of a
vessel shall, on being required in writing by an
authorized officer so to do, receive a deportee on
board for conveyance to a place specified in the
requirement, being a place to which the vessel is
bound, and also receive on board, for such time as
is required by the authorized officer, a person
charged with the custody of the deportee.
Penalty: $1,000.
(3) An officer shall not make a requirement under
sub-section (1) unless he 1s satisfied on
reasonable grounds that the deportee will be
permitted to land at the place specified in the
requirement, and it is a defence to a prosecution
for a contravention of that sub~section if the
defendant proves that, if the requirement had been
complied with, the deportee would not have been
permitted to land at the place specified in the
requirement."
The applicant alleges that the decisions were made
for an improper purpose, i.e. a "disguised" extradition and
were thus not authorised by s.22(1).
By his defence filed in proceedings No. G324 of 1987,
the Minister pleads that by virtue of the decision of Gummow
J. in matter No. 311 of 1987, the applicant is estopped from
pleading or proving the allegations of improper conduct made
in the amended statement of claim. It is convenient to deal
with this defence now.
It will be remembered that in the decision relied on,
37.
Gummow J. dismissed the claim for interlocutory relief on the
grounds that the evidence before him did not disclose a
serious question to be tried. His Honour's decision was
plainly interlocutory, both as a matter of form and of
substance. There being no final decision relied on, there can
be no estoppel (see D.M. Byrne Q.C. and J.D. Heydon Cross on
Evidence 3rd Australian ed. at pp.121-2; Spencer-Bower and
Turner Res Judicata, 2nd ed. at pp.132-3; Halisbury's Laws of
England, 4th ed., Vol. 16, para.1518 p.1021 and para.1563
p.1055). The authorities were discussed by Everett J. in
Singh v. Mahoney, unreported, 16 May 1986. [It 1s true that in
some cases what may appear to be an interlocutory decision, 1s
in truth a final one. But, in the present case, the decision
of Gummow J. was in every sense interlocutory. The matter was
brought forward on short notice and on limited evidence and it
was clear at the time that a final hearing would be conducted
at a later date. Insofar as Everett J. may have decided that
a decision which is truly "interlocutory" can give rise to a
relevant estoppel, I must respectfully disagree.
I turn now to the applicant's claim that the attempt
to deport him was an abuse of the Commonwealth's deportation
power. In dealing with deportation and irregular extradition,
Professor Shearer, op. cit. says (at p.187):
"Deportation is a procedure which bears'- only
superficial resemblance to extradition. While both
may achieve the same practical result, their
procedures and objectives differ fundamentally.
The purpose of extradition is to restore fugitive
criminals to the jurisdiction of authorities who
have a lawful claim to try or punish them, This
purpose is served only where that claim 1s properly
tested, all established safeguards observed, and
38.
the offender 1s returned in suitable custody. The
purpose of deportation, by contrast, is to expel an
undesirable alien; this purpose is achieved in the
act of departure, and the subsequent destination of
the deportee is of no consequence. In practice,
however, it 1s often necessary for the deporting
authorities to arrange a destination for deportees,
since their acceptability in other countries may be
limited by reason of their known antecedents
{Professor Shearer referred to ss.21 and 22 of the
Migration Act]. Airlines and shipping companies
will naturally wish to be assured that the deportee
has a right of entry, or will not be denied entry,
at the intended port of disembarkation. Most often
deportation is effected to the country of which the
deportee is a national.
Where there 1S a genuine co-~incidence of grounds
for deportation and the desire of the State of
nationality of the deportee to prosecute,
deportation may result in de facto extradition,
which is not on that account objectionable."
In my opinion, the Minister's power to deport may be
validly exercised notwithstanding that the Minister knows that
the person being deported is wanted by his own country for an
alleged criminal offence provided that the Minister 1s bona
fide of the opinion that his or her deportation is in the
interests of Australia (see Soblen's Case, supra, at
pp.301-2). As Mason J. said in Barton's Case, supra, at
p.504:
"A distinction is to be observed between extradition
and deportation and powers conferred by the
Migration Act can be exercised only for the
purposes authorized by that Act."
In Znaty, supra, it was held by majority (McTiernan,
Owen and Walsh JJ., Barwick C.J. and Windeyer J. dissenting)
that the Minister may determine the way in which a deportation
order is to be carried out and may choose the vessel or
aircraft in which the deportee may leave the country (per
Walsh J. at p.8). Walsh J. added:
39.
"The steps taken in the exercise of those powers are
not invalidated 1f the intended practical result 1s
the arrival of the deportee in a particular
country."
On the other hand, Walsh J. acknowledged that the
deportation procedure could not be "used as a mere sham in
order to effect another purpose" (for instance, an irregular
extradition) (see at pp.15-16).
The question, then, 18 one of fact. Were the
procedures here being used in good faith in the execution of
the wish to deport the applicant as an illegal immigrant? Or,
on the other hand, were.the actions of those involved a mere
sham disguising what was, in truth, a de facto, but not de
jure, extradition?
As has been said, both Mr. Robilliard and Mr. Clarke
swore affidavits and were called to give oral evidence. They
asserted that their actions were in no way influenced by any
desire on their part to achieve a disguised extradition. But
the objective evidence shows that their deportation procedures
were planned to coincide with the wishes of the German
Government. The real question here is whether the fact that
the Australian immigration authorities were prepared to
co-operate with the German officials in handing the applicant
over to the custody of German police officers on a German
aircraft bound for Frankfurt amounts to a "sham" deportation.
On behalf of the applicant, reliance was placed upon
40.
the failure to call the "real" decision-makers among the
Australian authorities, in particular, Messrs Wilson, Mahoney
and Stankevicius. It should be assumed that, 1f called, their
evidence would not have assisted the respondents.
At the same time, we have the advantage of what
appears to be a full documentary account of the matter from
the point of view of each of the Departments involved. It may
be that even if Messrs. Wilson, Mahoney and Stankevicius had
been called, their evidence may not have added anything to
that account.
The history of the matter may be conveniently divided
into two phases: the events before and after 3 July 1987. It
will be remembered that on this date Burchett J. upheld the
applicant's claim for judicial review. Until this point, the
deportation procedures lay dormant because it was appreciated
by all concerned that those procedures could not be used as a
substitute for extradition. Once it was decided no longer to
press for extradition, attention reverted to the question of
deportation.
In their evidence, both Mr. Robilliard and Mr. Clarke
were concerned to play down the role played by Mr. Kuster.
Yet 1t seems likely that Mr. Clarke spoke to Mr. Kuster as
early as 3 July. It is plain from Mr. Clarke's memorandum
dated 7 July that he spoke to Mr. Kuster on that date and that
Mr. Kuster then suggested the Lufthansa flight to Frankfurt.
It will be remembered that Mr. Clarke's note (Folio 117) was
41.
in these terms:
"(2) Should travel on LH [Lufthansa] service to
Frankfurt as German Federal Police officers would
be on board to take Schlieske into custody as soon
as he boarded aircraft."
At all events by 7 July, both the German and
Australian authorities had abandoned the extradition
proceedings and were concentrating their attention on the
execution of the deportation. Interpol, Australian and
German, was immediately made aware of the proposal to deport
the applicant by placing him on the Lufthansa flight in the
custody of the German police officers. The decisions taken by
Mr. Robilliard and Mr. Clarke in this regard were taken by
them not only in the knowledge that the applicant would be
delivered into the custody of the German Government but also
in co-operation with that Government. In other words, the
conduct of Mr. Robilliard and Mr. Clarke, viewed objectively,
is consistent only with an intention, on their part, to
deliver the applicant into tthe custody of the German
Government. This, in my view, is a "sham" extradition and, as
such 18 an abuse of the deportation power.
On behalf of the respondents, much reliance is placed
upon the circumstance that the applicant's travel papers
permit him to enter only Germany. But 1t does not follow that
the applicant should be directed to a Lufthansa flight to be
accepted into the custody of the German police officers. It
only means that it is open to the Minister to choose Germany
as the applicant's destination. Lufthansa 1s not the only
42.
airline flying to Germany; nor is it necessary that the
applicant be handed over to officers of the German police
force. Put differently, it 1s possible for the Minister, in
good faith, to deport the applicant to Germany without
necessarily delivering him into the custody of the German
Government at Sydney airport.
In proceedings G.324 of 1987, the applicant seeks
general relief seeking to restrain his deportation to Germany.
In my view, that general claim fails and I propose to dismiss
that claim.
In proceedings No. G361 of 1987, more limited relief
is sought and I propose to grant limited relief so as to
restrain Mr. Robilliard from requiring Lufthansa to receive
the applicant on board. In other words, whilst I am of the
view that the Minister has the power to deport the applicant
to Germany, it would be an abuse of that power to deliver the
applicant to Lufthansa for the purpose, as was proposed, on 18
July, of his being surrendered to the German Government.
Since the applicant has been only partially
successful, it is appropriate that there be no order as to
costs, except for the costs of the amendment already dealt
with.
I certify the preceding ,pages
to be a true copy of
the Reasons for Judgment of
his Honour Mr Justice Beaumont.
Associate: AO SBE
Date: 23 December 1987
G. 324 of 1987
Counsel and Solicitors T.F. Robertson instructed
for the Applicant: by John Bettens & Co.
Counsel and Solicitors A. Robertson instructed
for Respondents by Australian Government
Solicitor
G.361 of 1987
Counsel and Solicitors T.F. Robertson instructed
for the Applicant: by John Bettens & Co.
Counsel and Solicitors A. Robertson instructed by
for Respondent: Australian Government
Solicitor
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