Alcoa of Australia Retirement Plan Pty Ltd v Thompson [2002] FCA 256

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Alcoa of Australia Retirement Plan Pty Ltd v Thompson [2002] FCA 256

SUPERANNUATION – complaints tribunal – functions – decision of trustee that member not totally and permanently disabled – complaint by member to tribunal – tribunal decision to set aside trustee's decision and substitute decision that member was totally and permanently disabled – whether tribunal in error of law in apprehension of its function - whether tribunal failed to take into account relevant considerations – whether tribunal misconstrued trust deed

Superannuation (Resolution of Complaints) Act 1993 (Cth) ss 14, 14(2), 14A, 14A(1), 14AA(2), 15A(1), 15B(1), 15CA(1)(b), 15E(1) and (3), 15F(1) and (10), 15H(1) and (3), 15J(1) and (10), 36, 37, 37(3), 37(4), 37(6), 37(6)(b)(ii), 37A(7)(b), 37B(4), 37C(5)(b)(ii), 37CA(5), 37D(4), 37E(6)(b)(ii), 37F(4), 37G(6)(b)(ii), 46(1), 46(4) MacGillivray on Insurance Law 9th ed. at p 711 Pope & Ors v Lawler & Ors (RD Nicholson J, 7 May 1996, unreported) cited National Mutual Life Association of Australia Ltd v Jevtovic (Sundberg J, 8 May 1997, unreported) referred to Adkins v The Health Employees Superannuation Trust Aust Ltd [1997] FCA 794 cited National Mutual Life Association of Australasia Ltd v Campbell [1999] FCA 1717 cited National Mutual Life Association of Australasia Ltd v Campbell (2000) 99 FCR 562 cited Maciejewski v Telstra Super Pty Ltd [1998] NSWSC 376 cited Beverley v Tyndall Life Insurance Co Ltd (1999) 21 WAR 327 cited Seafarers' Retirement Fund Pty Ltd v Oppenhuis (1999) 94 FCR 594 cited Retail Employees Superannuation Pty Ltd v Crocker [2001] FCA 1330 referred to Flexiplan Australia Ltd v Pankhurst & Ors [2001] FCA 1535 referred to Victorian Chamber of Manufactures v The Commonwealth (1943) 67 CLR 335 cited Szuster v Hest Aust Ltd & Anor [2000] SADC 2 cited Chammas v Harwood Nominees Pty Ltd (1993) 7 ANZ Ins. Cas 61-175 referred to Re Mann v Director-General of Social Services (1982) 4 ALNN 146 cited White v Board of Trustees [1997] 2 Qd R 659 cited Australian Broadcasting Commission v Australasia Performing Right Association Limited (1973) 129 CLR 99 referred to Riley v National Mutual Life Association of Australasia Ltd & Anor (1986) 4 ANZ Insurance Cases 60-684 referred to ALCOA OF AUSTRALIA RETIREMENT PLAN PTY LTD v DAVID THOMPSON W351 of 2001 RD NICHOLSON J 15 MARCH 2002 PERTH