Military Rehabilitation & Compensation Commission v SRGGGG [2005] FCA 342

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Military Rehabilitation & Compensation Commission v SRGGGG [2005] FCA 342 COMPENSATION – Commonwealth employees – Administrative Appeals Tribunal proceedings – claim for psychiatric illness arising out of employment with Australian defence Force Academy – causation – whether Tribunal substituted its own opinion for expert evidence – whether Tribunal addressed contentions seriously advanced and worthy of serious consideration – whether decision supported by probative evidence. ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – appeal from Administrative Appeals Tribunal – adequacy of reasons for decision – whether relevant considerations taken into account. GUARDIANSHIP – where claimant's father appointed as guardian to perform function of advocacy – whether guardian exceeded terms of appointment by instructing solicitors and maintaining proceedings on claimant's behalf.

Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975 (Cth) Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 (Cth) Military Rehabilitation and Compensation (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2004 (Cth) Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (Cth) Safety Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (Cth) Guardianship Act 1987 (NSW) Ansett Transport Industries (Operations) Pty Ltd v Wraith (1983) 48 ALR 500 cited Australian Telecommunications Corporation v Davis (1991) 30 FCR 467 cited Brackenrig v Comcare Australia (1995) 56 FCR 335 cited Clements v Independent Indigenous Advisory Committee (2003) 131 FCR 28 cited Comcare v Forbutt [2000] FCA 837 cited Commissioner of Taxation v Osborne (1990) 26 FCR 63 cited Commonwealth v Angel (1992) 34 FCR 313 cited Commonwealth v Pharmacy Guild (1989) 91 ALR 65 cited Commonwealth v Smith (1989) 18 ALD 224 cited Copperart Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation (Cth) (1994) 50 FCR 345 cited De Domenico v Marshall (1999) 94 FCR 97 cited Dennis Willcox Pty Ltd v Federal Commissioner of Taxation (1988) 79 ALR 267 cited Dornan v Riordan (1990) 24 FCR 564 cited Hawkins v Comcare (2001) 115 FCR 127 cited Minister for Aboriginal Affairs v Peko-Wallsend Ltd (1986) 162 CLR 24cited Minister for Immigration & Multicultural Affairs v Yusuf (2001) 206 CLR 323 followed Minister for Immigration & Multicultural & Indigenous Affairs v Huynh (2004) 211 ALR 126 cited O'Brien v Repatriation Commission (1984) 1 FCR 472 cited Pettitt v Dumbley [1971] 1 NSWLR 376 cited Plaintiff S 157/2002 v Commonwealth (2003) 211 CLR 476 cited Repatriation Commission v Hughes (1990) 13 AAR 34 cited Repatriation Commission v O'Brien (1985) 155 CLR 422 cited Rodriguez v Telstra Corporation Ltd [2002] FCA 30, (2002) 66 ALD 579 distinguished Rich Rivers Radio Pty Ltd v Australian Broadcasting Tribunal (1989) 22 FCR 437 cited Soulemezis v Dudley (Holdings) Pty Ltd (1987) 10 NSWLR 247 cited Telstra Corporation v Arden (1994) 20 AAR 285 cited