Perpetual Trustees Australia Ltd v Wallace [2007] FCA 527

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Perpetual Trustees Australia Ltd v Wallace [2007] FCA 527

ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – review of determination of Superannuation Complaints Tribunal – jurisdiction of Superannuation Complaints Tribunal under s 37 of Superannuation (Resolution of Complaints) Act 1993 (Cth) – whether power conferred on Trustee by trust deed to 'compromise' claims is confined to a claim against the fund and not against the trustee – but if it extends to the latter, whether exercise of the power is reviewable under s 37 of the Superannuation (Resolution of Complaints) Act 1993 (Cth) – relevance of right of trustee to be indemnified out of trust fund – apprehension of bias – denial of procedural fairness – miscarriage of statutory function of Superannuation Complaints Tribunal

Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)s 124 Superannuation (Resolution of Complaints) Act 1993 (Cth) ss 9, 14, 37, 46, 62, 63, 64, 64A Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (Cth) ss 52, 55 Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Regulations 1994 regs 7.04(1C), 4.15

Attorney-General v Breckler (1999) 197 CLR 83followed Ebner v Official Trustee in Bankruptcy (2000) 205 CLR 337 followed R v Australian Broadcasting Tribunal; Ex parte Hardiman (1980) 144 CLR 13 cited Kioa v West (1985) 159 CLR 550 cited Laws v Australian Broadcasting Tribunal (1990) 93 ALR 435 cited Minister for Local Government v South Sydney City Council (2002) 55 NSWLR 381 cited Muin v Refugee Review Tribunal (2002) 76 ALJR 966 cited Re Earl of Strafford deceased; Royal Bank of Scotland Ltd v Byng [1980] Ch 28 disapproved Re Irismay Holdings Pty Ltd [1996] 1 Qd R 172approved Retail Employees Superannuation Pty Ltd v Crocker (2001) 48 ATR 359 distinguished Smits v Roach (2006) 228 ALR 262 cited VFAB v Minister for Immigration & Multicultural & Indigenous Affairs (2003) 131 FCR 102 cited