Ashton v Commonwealth of Australia [2003] FCA 92

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Ashton v Commonwealth Government of Australia [2003] FCA 92 STATUTORY INTERPRETATION – whether regulations 40A and 22A of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Amendment Regulations 2002 (No. 1)("the regulations") within field of operation of Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 ("the Act") - whether regulations concern subject outside authority of the Act - whether regulations invalid for failure to follow procedure - whether regulations can be utilised where other procedures available - whether ulterior purpose disclosed COSTS - whether litigation in public interest - whether applicant is same position as other litigants

Statutes Fisheries Act 1994 (Qld) Fisheries Management Act 1991 (Cth) ss 4, 5 Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 (Cth) s 66, 5(1), 30, 31, 7, 32, 38A, 39W, 38M, 38MC, 59B, 61A, 66(4), 66(5), 66(3) Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Amendment Regulations 2002 (No. 1) Reg 40A, 22A, 4(1)

Cases De L v Director-General, New South Wales Department of Community Services (No 2) (1997) 190 CLR 207 Cited Harrington v Lowe (1996) 190 CLR 311 Cited Morton v The Union Steamship Company of New Zealand Limited (1951) 83 CLR 402 Cited Project Blue Sky v Australian Broadcasting Authority (1998) 194 CLR 355 Cited Shanahan v Scott (1957) 96 CLR 245 Cited GEOFFREY JOHN ASHTON v COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Q142/02 KIEFEL J BRISBANE 21 FEBRUARY 2003

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

QUEENSLAND DISTRICT REGISTRY Q 142 of 2002

BETWEEN: GEOFFREY JOHN ASHTON

APPLICANT

AND: COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

RESPONDENT

JUDGE: KIEFEL J

DATE OF ORDER: 21 FEBRUARY 2003

WHERE MADE: BRISBANE

THE COURT ORDERS THAT: 1. The application is dismissed. 2. The applicant pay the respondent's costs. Note: Settlement and entry of orders is dealt with in Order 36 of the Federal Court Rules.