Scott v Pedler [2003] FCA 650

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Scott v Pedler [2003] FCA 650 ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – social security – decision against applicant for disability support pension later conceded to be wrong – application for special benefit in the meantime – ineligibility for disability support pension a requirement for special benefit – whether requirement to reconsider earlier decision – whether open to officer to request applicant to apply again for disability support pension, to test eligibility – whether obliged to grant special benefit – requirement for satisfaction as to criteria – whether causes of action for breaches of statutory duty, negligence, intentional injury and misfeasance in public office open – whether declaratory and injunctive relief sought available – nature of any duty – whether absolute duty – whether intention to cause injury – whether obligation to increase rate of special benefit when spouse no longer in receipt of pension or benefit

Social Security Act 1991 (Cth) ss 94, 106, 114, 116(1), 729, 740, 744, 746, 1239, 1296, 1138(1) Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975 (Cth) s 60(1) Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) s 21 Scott v Secretary, Department of Social Security [1999] FCA 1774 (1999) 57 ALD 627, discussed Ainsworth v Criminal Justice Commission (1992) 175 CLR 564, applied Truth About Motorways Pty Ltd v Macquarie Infrastructure Investment Management Ltd [2000] HCA 11 (2000) 200 CLR 591, cited Warramunda Village Inc v Pryde [2001] FCA 61 (2001) 105 FCR 437, applied Scott v Secretary, Department of Social Security [2000] FCA 1241 (2000) 65 ALD 79, discussed Byrne v Australian Airlines Ltd (1995) 185 CLR 410, considered Cubillo v Commonwealth (No 2) [2000] FCA 1084 (2000) 103 FCR 1, referred to X (Minors) v Bedfordshire County Council [1995] 2 AC 633, cited Shaddock & Associates Pty Ltd v Parramatta City Council (No 1) (1981) 150 CLR 225, cited Pyrenees Shire Council v Day (1998) 192 CLR 330, cited Crimmins v Stevedoring Industry Finance Committee [1999] HCA 59 (1999) 200 CLR 1, considered Sullivan v Moody [2001] HCA 59 (2001) 207 CLR 562, considered Graham Barclay Oysters Pty Ltd v Ryan [2002] HCA 54 (2002) 194 ALR 337, considered Beaudesert Shire Council v Smith (1996) 120 CLR 145, cited Northern Territory v Mengel (1995) 185 CLR 307, followed Sanders v Snell (1998) 196 CLR 329, considered Tahche v Abboud [2002] VSC 42, followed Gray v Motor Accident Commission (1998) 196 CLR 1, cited Uren v John Fairfax & Sons Pty Ltd (1966) 117 CLR 118, applied Fleming, The Law of Torts, 9th edn, Law Book Company, Sydney, 1998 RALPH SCOTT AND SOPHIE SCOTT v OFFICER TONI LEE-ANNE PEDLER, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SECURITY, OFFICER JULIE A WILLIAMS, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SECURITY AND AUTHORISED REVIEW OFFICER ROBERTA CHRYSTAL, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SECURITY V 652 of 2001 GRAY ACJ 27 JUNE 2003 MELBOURNE