Cubillo v Commonwealth of Australia [2001] FCA 1213

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Cubillo v Commonwealth of Australia [2001] FCA 1213 FALSE IMPRISONMENT – removal of part-Aboriginal children in 1947 and 1953 from their families and placement in institutions – whether the Commonwealth actively promoted or caused the appellants' detention – whether a committal order under s 6 of the Aboriginals Ordinance 1918 (NT) ("Aboriginals Ordinance") was vitiated by Wednesbury unreasonableness – whether finding that the Director of Native Affairs detained the appellants was justified on the evidence – whether it was common ground at trial that the Directors of Native Affairs and Welfare had not exercised their statutory powers in relation to the appellants – whether independent discretion rule applies. BREACH OF DUTY – reformulation of appellants' case on alleged breaches of duty by the Commonwealth – whether the appellants should be permitted to raise new arguments on appeal – whether Commonwealth would be prejudiced. LIMITATION OF ACTIONS – common law causes of action statute barred – whether primary Judge erred in refusing an extension of time in which to institute proceedings pursuant to s 44(3)(b) of the Limitations Act 1981 (NT) – whether primary Judge bound to consider each cause of action separately – whether primary Judge erred in finding that the Commonwealth had sustained irremediable prejudice. EQUITY – fiduciary duties – whether findings of fact precluded a claim founded on breach of fiduciary duties – whether equitable claims barred in any event by laches. The Constitution s 75(iii) Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth), ss 24(1A), 27. Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth), ss 35(1)(a), 44(2A), 44(3), 79. Aboriginals Ordinance 1918 (NT), ss 3, 3A, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 13, 15, 16, 17, 19. Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 (Cth). Limitation of Suits and Actions Act 1866 (SA), ss 36, 37, 47. Limitation Act 1981 (NT), ss 3, 9, 12, 21, 22, 36, 44. Northern Territory Acceptance Act 1910 (Cth), s 7. Northern Territory (Administration) Act 1910 (Cth), s13 Northern Territory (Administration) Act 1947 (Cth), ss 4N, 4U, 4V, 4W, 4Y. Aboriginals Ordinance 1911 (NT). Northern Territory Aboriginals Act 1910 (SA). Welfare Ordinance 1953 (NT) ss 6, 7, 8, 10, 14, 17, 24, 32. Welfare Ordinance (No 2) 1957 (NT), s 4. Welfare Ordinance 1961 (NT), s 5. Aboriginals Ordinance 1939 (NT), ss 2, 3, 4. Aboriginals Ordinance (No. 2) 1953 (NT), ss 3, 4, 5, 7, 8. Limitation Act 1985 (ACT). Limitation of Actions Act 1994 (Qld), s 31(2). Limitation of Actions Act 1936 (SA) Limitation Act 1969 (NSW), s 60E(1). Federal Court Rules, O 52 r 10(2)(b), O 11 r 2(a). Kruger v Commonwealth (1997) 190 CLR 1, discussed. Northern Territory v GPAO (1999) 196 CLR 553, cited. Waters v The Commonwealth (1951) 82 CLR 188, cited. Ross v Chambers (Unreported, NTSC, 5 April 1956, Kriewaldt J), discussed. Namatjira v Raabe (1959) 100 CLR 664, cited. Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Edensor Nominees Pty Ltd (2000) 177 ALR 329, cited. Paramasivam v Flynn (1998) 90 FCR 489, discussed. Carr v Finance Corporation of Australia Ltd (1980) 147 CLR 246, cited. Sanofi v Park Davis (1980) 149 CLR 147, cited. Hall v Nominal Defendant (1996) 117 CLR 423, cited. Dousi v Colgate Palmolive Pty Ltd (1987) 9 NSWLR 374, cited. Meddings v The Council of the City of the Gold Coast [1988] 1 Qd R 528, cited. Southern Cross Exploration NL v Fire and All Risks Insurance Company Ltd (No 2) (1990) 21 NSWLR 200, cited. D A Christie Pty Ltd v Baker [1996] 2 VR 582, cited. Associated Provincial Picture Houses Ltd v Wednesbury Corporation [1948] 1 KB 223, cited. Myer Stores Ltd v Soo [1991] 2 VR 597, considered. Field v Nott (1939) 62 CLR 660, cited. Murray v Ministry of Defence [1988] 1 WLR 692, cited. Herring v Boyle (1834) 1 CM&R 377; 149 ER 1126, cited. Oceanic Crest Shipping Company v Pilbara Harbour Services Pty Ltd (1986) 160 CLR 626, cited. Enever v The King (1906) 3 CLR 969, cited. Attorney-General (NSW) v Perpetual Trustee Co. Ltd (1952) 85 CLR 237, cited. Attorney-General (NSW) v Perpetual Trustee Co. Ltd [1955] AC 457, cited. Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Golden Sphere International Inc. (1998) 83 FCR 424, cited. Clayton Robard Management Ltd v Siu (1988) 162 CLR 24, cited. Minister for Aboriginal Affairs v Peko-Wallsend Ltd (1986) 162 CLR 24, cited. Attorney-General (NSW) v Quin (1990) 170 CLR 1, cited. Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs v Eshetu (1999) 197 CLR 611, cited. Friends of Hinchinbrook Society Inc v Minister for the Environment (No 2) (1997) 69 FCR 28, cited. CDJ v VAJ (1998) 197 CLR 172, cited. Allesch v Maunz (2000) 173 ALR 648, cited. Warren v Coombes (1979) 142 CLR 531, applied. Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs v Jia 178 ALR 421, cited. News Ltd v Australian Rugby Football League Ltd (1996) 64 FCR 410, cited. Minister for Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs v Hamsher (1992) FCR 359, applied. Crimmins v Stevedoring Industry Finance Committee (1999) 200 CLR 1, considered. X (Minors) v Bedfordshire County Council [1995] 2 AC 633, considered. Barrett v Enfield London Borough Council [1999] 3 WLR 79, considered. Stovin v Wise [1996] AC 923, cited. Pyrenees Shire Council v Day (1998) 192 CLR 330, cited. Attorney-General v Prince [1998] 1 NZLR 262, cited. B v Attorney-General [1999] 2 NZLR 296, cited. W v Attorney-General [1999] 2 NZLR 709, cited. Hillman v Black (1996) 67 SASR 490, cited. Phelps v Hillingdon London Borough City Council [2000] 4 All ER 504, cited. Perre v Apand Pty Ltd (1999) 198 CLR 180, cited. Banque Commerciale SA En Liquidation v Akhil Holdings Ltd (1990) 169 CLR 279, cited. Mitanis v Pioneer Concrete (Vic) Pty Ltd (1997) ATPR 41-591, cited. Water Board v Moustakas (1988) 180 CLR 491, applied. Sola Optical Australia Pty Ltd v Mills (1987) 163 CLR 628, considered. Ward v Walton (1989) 66 NTR 20, cited. Brisbane South Regional Health Authority v Taylor (1996) 186 CLR 541, applied. Williams v Minister, Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (No 2) (1999) 25 Fam LR 86, cited. House v The King (1936) 55 CLR 499, cited. Lovell v Lovell (1950) 81 CLR 513, cited. Sydney City Council v Zegarac (1998) 43 NSWLR 195, cited. Holt v Wynter (2000) 49 NSWLR 128, cited. Ravinder Rihini Pty Ltd v Krizaic (1991) 30 FCR 300, cited. Bennett v Minister of Community Welfare (1992) 176 CLR 408, cited. Lindsay Petroleum Co. v Hurd (1874) LR 5 PC 221, cited. Orr v Ford (1989) 167 CLR 316, applied. Clay v Clay (2001) 178 ALR 193, cited. Countess of Bective v Federal Commissioner of Taxation (1932) 47 CLR 417, cited. Wik Peoples v Queensland (1996) 187 CLR 1, cited. Pilmer v Duke Group Ltd (2001) 180 ALR 249, applied. Norberg v Wynrib [1992] 2 SCR 226, cited. Securities and Investments Commission v Chenery Corporation (1943) 318 US 80, cited. Breen v Williams (1996) 186 CLR 71, cited. Tito v Waddell (No 2) [1977] Ch 106, cited.