Humane Society International Inc v Minister for the Environment & Heritage [2003] FCA 64

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Humane Society International Inc v Minister for the Environment & Heritage [2003] FCA 64 ADMINISTRATIVE LAW: declarations and orders sought under Administrative Decisions and Judicial Review Act 1977 (Cth) (ADJR) - where Minister advised holders of state permits that need not apply for approval under Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (EPBC) - where objection to competency of proceedings under ADJR - whether Minister's actions "decision", "of an administrative character", and "made under an enactment" - whether Minister's action "conduct" for purpose of ADJR ADMINISTRATIVE LAW: relief sought under s 39B Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth) - whether mandamus appropriate - whether public duty remains unperformed - whether refusal of minister to perform statutory duty ADMINISTRATIVE LAW: - whether policy - content of policy - whether invalid - whether prevents Minister from undertaking statutory duty ADMINISTRATIVE LAW: whether Minister's actions created purported exemption - whether concerns legal obligations of persons proposing action - whether exemption authorised by EPBC - whether in breach of conditions regulating statutory power - whether legislative purpose to invalidate action DECLARATORY RELIEF - whether declaration appropriate - whether determination of issue between the parties - whether declaration as to lack of statutory authorisation for purported exemption

Statutes Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 (Cth) ss 5(1), 6(1) Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) ss 178, 189, 18, 681, 18A, 18(4), 19, 67, 75(1), 158, 33(1), 158(4) Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Wildlife Protection) Act 2001 (No 82) Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) ss 21, 23 Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth) ss 39B, 39B(1A)(c) Migration Act 1958 (Cth)