Saitta Pty Ltd v Commonwealth [2001] FCA 817

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Saitta Pty Ltd v Commonwealth [2001] FCA 817

ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – judicial review – availability of merits review – whether adequate alternative remedy – allegation that report of Aged Care Standards Agency incorrect – report relied on in relation to accreditation of aged care provider – whether claim for damages for breach of statutory duty, negligence, breach of contract, or misleading and deceptive conduct available in respect of administrative decision

PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – summary dismissal – whether no reasonable cause of action disclosed – whether proceeding an abuse of process – claims for damages for breach of statutory duty, negligence, breach of contract, defamation and misleading and deceptive conduct – whether claims clearly untenable – whether declaration of invalidity of administrative decisions could be used as basis for claims for damages – whether common law causes of action should continue when federal element of proceeding falls STATUTES – delegated legislation – validity – statutory power to promulgate principles –table specifying principles may be made in relation to a corresponding part or section – separate parts specified in relation to accountability principles and accreditation principles – whether provisions of accreditation principles which go beyond purposes of accreditation ultra vires – whether distinction supported by statutory scheme – whether interpretation leads to an absurd or irrational result – whether declarations of invalidity could found claims for damages at common law

Aged Care Act 1997 (Cth) ss 63-1, 65-1, 66-1, 67-1, 67-5, 80-1, 85-1, 85-5, 85-8, 86-9, 96-1, Pts 4.3, 4.4, 5.4, 6.1, 6.2 Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 (Cth) s 10 Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth) s 39B(1A) Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) s 52 Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) s 21 Federal Court Rules, O 20 r 2