Pembroke School Incorporated v Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission [2002] FCA 1020

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Pembroke School Incorporated v Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission

[2002] FCA 1020 PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – application to re-open proceedings after judgment and orders formally entered - ground of new evidence – whether jurisdiction exists to do so – grounds upon which jurisdiction (if it exists) might be exercised – whether grounds made out - jurisdiction to re-open application for review of Commission's decision in circumstances where the Commission's decision is alleged to have been effected by fraud – whether exceptional circumstances – whether ground made out. ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – ostensible bias – waiver. Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 (Cth), ss 5, 5(1)(a), 5(1)(b), 5(1)(e), 5(1)(g), 5(2)(b) Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth), ss 5, 6, 22, 22(2), 22(2)(a), 23, 23(1)(c), 24, 37, 79(1), 83, 98 Federal Court Rules, O 35 r 7(2), O 36 Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986 (Cth), s 42 School v Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission [1998] FCA 1455 Munroe Schneider Associates (Inc.) v No.1 Raberem Pty Ltd (No.2) (1992) 37 FCR 234 - discussed Darling Downs Investments Pty Ltd v Elwood (1988) 18 FCR 510 – referred to Elna Australia Pty Ltd v International Computers (Aust.) Pty Ltd (1987) 14 FCR 461 – referred to Wentworth v Rogers (No.5) (1986) 6 NSWLR 534 - discussed Donkin v AGC (Advances) Ltd [1995] FCA 696 - discussed Autodesk Inc. v Dyason (No.2) (1993) 176 CLR 300 - discussed Autodesk Inc. v Dyason (1992) 173 CLR 330 – referred to State Rail Authority of New South Wales v Codelfa Constructions Pty Ltd (1982) 150 CLR 29 – referred to Jovanovic v The Queen (1999) 92 FCR 580 - discussed McDonald v McDonald (1965) 113 CLR 529 – referred to Spies v Commonwealth Bank of Australia (1991) 24 NSWLR 691 – referred to Smith v NSW Bar Association (1992) 176 CLR 256 - cited Commonwealth Bank of Australia v Quade (1991) 178 CLR 134 - discussed Orr v Holmes (1948) 76 CLR 632 – referred to Greater Woollongong Corporation v Cowan (1995) 93 CLR 435 – referred to Minister for Aboriginal Affairs v Peko-Wallsend Ltd (1980) 162 CLR 24 – referred to Borkovic v Minister for Immigration & Ethnic Affairs (1981) 39 ALR 186 - cited Ebner v Official Trustee in Bankruptcy (2000) 176 ALR 644; [2000] HCA 64 – referred to R v Watson; Ex parte Armstrong (1976) 136 CLR 248 – referred to Dickason v Edwards (1910) 10 CLR 243 – referred to Maloney v New South Wales National Coursing Association Ltd (1978) 1 NSWLR 161 – referred to Vakauta v Kelly (1989) 167 CLR 568 – referred to Preston v Carmody (1993) 44 FCR 1 – referred to Najjar v Haines (1999) 25 NSWLR 224 – referred to PEMBROKE SCHOOL INCORPORATED v HUMAN RIGHTS AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION and MERELYN COWELL (on behalf of herself and FLEUR COWELL) SG.45 of 1998 MANSFIELD J 19 AUGUST 2002 ADELAIDE