Olbers v Commonwealth of Australia (No 4) [2004] FCA 229

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Olbers v Commonwealth of Australia (No 4) [2004] FCA 229 FISHERIES – foreign vessels – offences against Fisheries Act - unauthorised fishing in the Australian Fishing Zone – unauthorised presence in Australian Fishing Zone with fishing equipment – automatic forfeiture to Commonwealth – whether title transferred immediately – whether title transferred upon condemnation – whether court empowered to direct recovery of vessel notwithstanding forfeiture in case of unlawful boarding and seizure – whether hot pursuit power affected by International Convention CONSTITUTIONAL LAW – fisheries power – automatic forfeiture of fishing boats – characterisation – validity of forfeiture provisions – automatic forfeiture – whether inconsistent with judicial power – whether involving acquisition on other than just terms WORDS AND PHRASES – 'forfeiture' 'condemnation' Fisheries Management Act 1991 (Cth) s 7, s 100, s 101, s 84, s 87, s 106A, s 106E, s 106F, s 106G, s 106H, s 167A Fisheries Legislation Amendment Bill (No 1) 1999 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea Art 87, Art 111 In Re Levy's Trusts [1885] 30 Ch D 119 cited De Britt v Carr (1911) 13 CLR 114 cited Attorney-General of New Zealand v Ortiz [1984] 1 AC 1 cited Burton v Honan (1952) 86 CLR 169 applied The Annadale (1877) LR 2 179 PD, 218 cited United States v 1960 Bags of Coffee (1814) 8 Cranch 398 cited Gelston v Hoyt 3 Wheat 311 cited Powers v Maher (1959) 103 CLR 478 cited Bert Needham Automotive Co Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation (Cth) (1976) 26 FLR 108 cited Tetron International Pty Ltd v Luckham (1986) 8 ALD 243 cited Pearce v Button (1986) 8 FCR 408 cited Whim Creek Consolidated NL v Colgan (1991) 31 FCR 469 Re Director of Public Prosecutions; Ex parte Lawler (1994) 179 CLR 270 applied Cheatley v The Queen (1972) 127 CLR 291 cited