Commonwealth of Australia v Wood [2006] FCA 60

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Commonwealth of Australia v Wood [2006] FCA 60 ANTI-DISCRIMINATION – suicide of 15-year-old member of Air Training Corps – complaint by mother under Anti-Discrimination Act 1998 (Tas) – whether as a matter of construction Act applies to Commonwealth and its agents – whether Act permits complaints in respect of discrimination against deceased persons – whether mother has arguable complaint in her own right CONSTITUTIONAL LAW – whether Act breaches Ch III of the Constitution – whether Anti-Discrimination Tribunal established under the Act is a court of State – whether Act inconsistent with Air Force Act 1923 (Cth) and/or Cadet Forces Regulations 1977 (Cth) – whether Act would impair the capacities of the Commonwealth Executive WORDS AND PHRASES – "court", "court of a State"

Act of Settlement 1700 (Imp) The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Australia ss 77(iii), 109 Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth) s 39 Air Force Act 1923 (Cth) ss 8 Cadet Forces Regulations 1977 (Cth) reg 14(2) Anti-Discrimination Act 1998 (Tas) ss 3,4,12,14,16,22,60,78,80,84,85(2),86,87,89,90,95,100, 103,106 Acts Interpretation Act 1931 (Tas) s 21(1)(a) Judicial Review Act 2000 (Tas) ss 17,20, 28-37

Bropho v Western Australia (1990) 171 CLR 1 cited Jacobsen v Rogers (1995) 182 CLR 572 cited IW v City of Perth (1997) 191 CLR 1 at 12 cited Waters v Public Transport Corporation (1991) 173 CLR 349 at 359, 394 cited Commonwealth v Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (1998) 152 ALR 182 at 189 cited Re Residential Tenancies Tribunal of New South Wales; Ex parte the Defence Housing Authority (1997) 190 CLR 410 discussed Cain v Doyle (1946) 72 CLR 409 at 424 cited Telstra Corporation Limited v Worthing (1999) 197 CLR 61 distinguished Stephenson v Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (1996) 68 FCR 290 cited CUNA Mutual Group Ltd v Bryant (2000) 102 FCR 270 cited O'Grady v Northern Queensland Co Ltd (1990) 169 CLR 356 at 367 cited J & G Knowles and Associates Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation (2000) 96 FCR 402 at [22]-[29] cited Kable v Director of Public Prosecutions (1996) 189 CLR 51 cited Craig v South Australia (1985) 184 CLR 163 cited Tana v Baxter (1986) 180 CLR 572 cited Orellana-Fuentes v Standard Knitting Mills Pty Ltd (2003) 57 NSWLR 282 discussed Australian Postal Commission v Dao (No 2) (1986) 6 NSWLR 497 at 515 cited Brandy v Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (1995) 183 CLR 245 cited North Australian Aboriginal Legal Aid Service Inc v Bradley (2004) 206 ALR 315 applied Ell v Alberta [2003] 1 SCR 857 at 874 cited Commonwealth v Cigamatic Pty Ltd (in liq) (1962) 108 CLR 372 cited Radio 2UE Sydney Pty Ltd v Burns (EOD) [2005] NSWADTAP 69 at [31], [39] discussed Blackley v Devondale Cream (Vic) Pty Ltd (1968) 117 CLR 253 at 258-259 cited Botany Municipal Council v Federal Airports Corporation (1992) 175 CLR 453 at 464 cited Victoria v Commonwealth (The Kakariki) (1937) 58 CLR 618 at 630-631 cited APLA Ltd v Legal Services Commissioner (NSW) (2005) 219 ALR 403 at [41]-[45] cited Commonwealth v Western Australia (1999) 196 CLR 302 at [55] cited Western Australia v Commonwealth (Native Title Act Case) (1995) 183 CLR 373 at 465-466 cited Ex parte McLean (1930) 43 CLR 472 at 483 cited The Queen v Credit Tribunal; Ex parte General Motors Acceptance Corporation (1977) 137 CLR 545 at 563 applied Australian Mutual Provident Society v Goulden (1986) 160 CLR 330 cited Dao v Australian Postal Commission (1987) 162 CLR 317 distinguished Ansett Transport Industries (Operations) Pty Ltd v Wardley (1980) 142 CLR 237 at 260 cited Airlines of New South Wales Pty. Ltd. v. New South Wales (1965) 113 CLR 54 cited Re Australian Education Union (1995) 184 CLR 188 cited Pirrie v McFarlane (1925) 36 CLR 170 cited THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA & ANOR v WOOD & ANOR TAD 23 OF 2005 HEEREY J 9 FEBRUARY 2006 MELBOURNE (HEARD IN HOBART)