Hamdan v Minister for Immigration & Multicultural & Indigenous Affairs [2004] FCA 1267

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Hamdan v Minister for Immigration & Multicultural & Indigenous Affairs [2004] FCA 1267 MIGRATION – unlawful non-citizen released from detention pursuant to a court order – Al-Kateb v Goodwin – telephone number confidentially communicated to legal adviser – desire to avoid detention – whether communication attracts legal professional privilege. LEGAL PROFESSIONAL PRIVILEGE – unlawful non-citizen who is at large communicates telephone number to legal adviser – whether the number is a mere collateral fact not attracting privilege. LEGAL PROFESSIONAL PRIVILEGE – confidential communication of telephone number to legal adviser – desire to avoid being detained under s 189 of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) – whether confidentiality sought in furtherance of an illegal purpose – no offence being committed or proposed – no obligation to facilitate own detention. LEGAL PROFESSIONAL PRIVILEGE – whether confidentiality sought to frustrate processes of the Court – non-attendance at hearing at which habeas corpus application dismissed – whether any court process frustrated.

Migration Act 1958 (Cth) ss 5(1), 14, 18, 21, 189, 197A Daniels Corporation International Pty Ltd v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (2002) 213 CLR 543 cited Sorby v The Commonwealth (1983) 152 CLR 281 cited Al-Kateb v Godwin (2004) 208 ALR 124 applied Minister for Immigration & Multicultural & Indigenous Affairs v Al Khafaji (2004) 208 ALR 201 cited Pratt Holdings Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation (2004) 207 ALR 217 cited Esso Australia Resources Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation (1999) 201 CLR 49 applied Commissioner of Australian Federal Police v Propend Finance Pty Ltd (1997) 188 CLR 501 applied Baker v Campbell (1983) 153 CLR 52 referred to Carter v Northmore Hale Davy & Leake (1995) 183 CLR 121 cited Commissioner of Taxation v Coombes (1999) 92 FCR 240 cited Southern Cross Commodities Pty Ltd (In Liq) v Crinis [1984] VR 697 cited Ex parte Campbell; In re Cathcart (1870) LR 5 Ch App 703 applied R v Bell; Ex parte Lees (1980) 146 CLR 141 distinguished Attorney-General of the Northern Territory v Kearney (1985) 158 CLR 500 applied ABBY HAMDAN v MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION & MULTICULTURAL & INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS No S 205 of 2004 FINN J ADELAIDE 1 OCTOBER 2004