Spencer v Commonwealth of Australia [2008] FCA 1256

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Spencer v Commonwealth of Australia [2008] FCA 1256 CONSTITUTIONAL LAW – acquisition of property on just terms – s 51(xxxi) – validity of Commonwealth statutes providing for grants of financial assistance to the States under s 96 – whether the Commonwealth statutes effect or authorise the acquisition of property – whether the Commonwealth statutes are laws with respect to the acquisition of property CONSTITUTIONAL LAW – acquisition of property on just terms – s 51(xxxi) – validity of Inter-Governmental Agreements made pursuant to Commonwealth statutes providing for grants of financial assistance to the States under s 96 – whether the Inter-Governmental Agreements effect or authorise the acquisition of property – whether the Inter-Governmental Agreements are ultra vires the power to enter into them conferred on the Commonwealth by the Commonwealth statutes – whether the Inter-Governmental Agreements are laws with respect to the acquisition of property PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – summary judgment – s 31A of the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) – whether reasonable prospect of successfully prosecuting the proceeding – whether reasonable prospect of successfully obtaining the relief sought PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – application for interim relief – injunction and damages – whether serious question to be tried – whether balance of convenience favours granting interim relief ESTOPPEL - issue estoppel – whether final or interlocutory judgment Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act (Imp), ss 51(xxxi), 96 Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth), s 31A Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 (Cth) National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1975 (Cth) Native Vegetation Act 2003 (NSW) Native Vegetation Conservation Act 1997 (NSW) Natural Heritage Trust of Australia Act 1997 (Cth) Natural Resources Management (Financial Assistance) Act 1992 (Cth) Soil Conservation (Financial Assistance) Act 1985 (Cth) Attorney-General of Victoria v Andrews (2007) 230 CLR 369 Bone v Mothershaw [2003] 2 Qd R 600 Castlemaine Tooheys Limited v The State of South Australia (1986) 161 CLR 148 Combet v The Commonwealth (2005) 224 CLR 494 Evans v State of New South Wales [2008] FCAFC 130 Fairfax v Federal Commissioner of Taxation (1965) 114 CLR 1 Huddart Parker Ltd v The Commonwealth (1931) 44 CLR 492 Jefferson Ford Pty Limited v Ford Motor Company of Australia Limited [2008] FCAFC 60 Re The Judiciary Act 1903-1920 and Re The Navigation Act 1912-1920 (1921) 29 CLR 257 Murphyores Incorporated Pty Ltd v The Commonwealth (1976) 136 CLR 1 Re McBane; Ex parte Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (2001) 209 CLR 372 Newcrest Mining Co v The Commonwealth (1997) 190 CLR 513 New South Wales v The Commonwealth (2006) 229 CLR 1 PJ Magennis Pty Ltd v The Commonwealth (1949) 80 CLR 382 Pye v Renshaw (1951) 84 CLR 58 Smith v ANL Limited (2001) 204 CLR 493 South Australia v The Commonwealth (1942) 65 CLR 373 Spencer v The Australian Capital Territory [2007] NSWSC 303 State of Victoria v The Commonwealth (1957) 99 CLR 575 Truth About Motorways Pty Ltd v Macquarie Infrastructure Investment Management Limited (1999) 200 CLR 591 Waterhouse v Minister for the Arts and Territories (1993) 43 FCR 175 PETER JAMES SPENCER v COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA