Singh v Minister for Immigration & Multicultural Affairs [2001] FCA 389

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Singh v Minister for Immigration & Multicultural Affairs [2001] FCA 389 IMMIGRATION – decision to refuse visa under s 501 of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) by reason of applicant's failure to pass character test – applicant provided character references – whether Minister had regard to the references in compliance with s 54(1) of the Migration Act – meaning of "have regard to" – inferences to be drawn from statement of reasons. COURTS AND JUDGES – proceedings instituted in the High Court more than twenty-eight days after applicant notified of decision – matter remitted to the Federal Court – whether Federal Court has jurisdiction to hear matter remitted notwithstanding time limitation in s 478 of the Migration Act.

WORDS AND PHRASES – "have regard to". Migration Act 1958 (Cth), ss 54, 55, 475, 476(1)(a), 478, 485, 486, 501(1), 501(6), 501G. Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth), s 44. Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (Cth), s 25D. Migration Regulations (Cth), r 1.15A; Sch 2, cl 309.21 Jones v Dunkel (1959) 101 CLR 298, cited. Minister for Immigration & Multicultural Affairs v A (1999) 91 FCR 435, cited. Johnstone v The Commonwealth (1979) 143 CLR 398, cited. Re O'Reilly; Ex parte Bayford Wholesale Pty Ltd (1983) 151 CLR 557, cited. Hocine v Minister for Immigration & Multicultural Affairs (2000) 99 FCR 269, cited. Cam v Minister for Immigration & Multicultural Affairs (1998) 84 FCR 14, cited. Parisienne Basket Shoes Pty Ltd v Whyte (1938) 59 CLR 369, cited. Re Minister for Immigration & Multicultural Affairs; Ex parte Radojicic (High Court, McHugh J, 21 January 2000, unreported), cited. A v Pelekanakis (1999) 91 FCR 70, followed. Ly v Minister for Immigration & Multicultural Affairs [2000] FCA 15, cited. Wen v Minister for Immigration & Multicultural Affairs [2000] FCA 320, cited. Project Blue Sky Inc v Australian Broadcasting Authority (1998) 194 CLR 355, cited. R v Hunt; Ex parte Sean Investments Pty Ltd (1979) 180 CLR 322, cited. Minister for Immigration & Multicultural Affairs v Baker (1997) 73 FCR 187, cited. Minister for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Affairs v Western Australia (1996) 67 FCR 40, cited. Minister for Immigration & Multicultural Affairs v Jia [2001] HCA 17, cited. Tickner v Chapman (1995) 57 FCR 451, cited. Minister for Immigration & Ethnic Affairs v Wu Shan Liang (1996) 185 CLR 259, cited. Minister for Immigration & Multicultural Affairs v Singh (2000) 98 FCR 469, cited. JAMES SINGH v MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION AND MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS N 170 of 2001 SACKVILLE J SYDNEY 6 APRIL 2001