Commonwealth Bank of Australia v Gargan [2004] FCA 707

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA Commonwealth Bank of Australia v Gargan [2004] FCA 707 BANKRUPTCY – sequestration order – whether sufficient cause to show that sequestration order should not be made – whether person challenging petition has a genuine and serious claim and has been unable to litigate that claim – whether fraud or miscarriage of justice established in earlier proceedings – genuine and serious claim not demonstrated – fraud and miscarriage of justice not proved – sufficient cause not shown – sequestration order made PROCEDURE – qui tam actions – validity of action in current Australian law – statutory prerequisites for existence of action – statutory prerequisites not demonstrated – existence of action at best speculative Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth) s 40(1)(g), 41, 52(1), 52(2)(a), 52(2)(b) Crimes Act 1914 (Cth) s 4B, 4G, 4J, 43 Criminal Code 1995 s 134.2 Director of Public Prosecution Act 1983 (Cth)s 9 Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth)s 69, 79 Fines Act 1996 (NSW) s 122 Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) s 459E Imperial Acts Application Act 1969 (NSW) s 8(1) 22 and 23 Car II c 22 (Fines and Forfeitures to the Crown) (1670-1671) 4 Henry VII c 20 (Penal Actions) (1488-1489) Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986 (Cth) International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 999 UNTS 171, 6 ILM 386 (entered into force 23 March 1976) Bradlaugh v Clarke (1883) 8 App Cas 354 cited Ex parte Pearce (1844) 1 Legge 189 cited Fleming q. t. v Bailey (1804) 5 East 313 considered Gargan v Scott (unreported, Supreme Court of New South Wales, Adams J, 27 October 2003) referred to Gargan v Woodgate [2004] NSWSC 177 referred to Hawkesbury City Council v Foster (1997) 97 LGERA 12 referred to Jamison and Brookmans v R (1993) 177 CLR 574 referred to Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs v Teoh (1995) 183 CLR 273 cited Morriset Mega-Market Pty Ltd v Gargan [2003] NSWCA 1199 cited Orpen v Haymarket Capital Ltd (1931) 145 LT 614 considered Re Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs; Ex parte Lam (2003) 77 ALJR 699 cited Tranton v Aster (1917) 33 TLR 383 considered COMMONWEALTH BANK OF AUSTRALIA v PETER ALEXANDER GARGAN (IN THE MATTER OF PETER ALEXANDER GARGAN) N 7369 OF 2003 HELY J 4 JUNE 2004 SYDNEY