Hamden v Commonwealth of Australia [2010] FCA 924

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Hamden v Commonwealth of Australia [2010] FCA 924

Citation: Hamden v Commonwealth of Australia [2010] FCA 924

Appeal from: Hamden v Commonwealth of Australia (Centrelink) [2010] FMCA 36

Parties: DAVID KEVIN HAMDEN v COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

File number: SAD 15 of 2010

Judge: LANDER J

Date of judgment: 27 August 2010

Catchwords: HUMAN RIGHTS – discrimination – appeal from a Federal Magistrate – whether appellant subject to indirect disability discrimination – whether Federal Magistrate erred in findings of fact – whether appellant subject to any detrimental conduct – whether appellant's employment terminated due to disability – whether Federal Magistrate considered all of the evidence.

Held: Appeal dismissed – no ground of appeal made out.

Legislation: Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) ss 4, 5(1), 6, 15(2) Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) ss 24(1), 25(1AA) Public Service Act 1999 (Cth) s 29(3)

Cases cited: Australian Iron and Steel Pty Ltd v Banovic (1989) 168 CLR 165 followed Australian Medical Council v Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (1995) 68 FCR 46 cited Devries v Australian National Railways Commission (1993) 177 CLR 472 followed Hamden v Commonwealth of Australia (Centrelink) [2010] FMCA 36 affirmed O'Callaghan v Loader (1983) 3 NSWLR 89 followed Purvis v State of New South Wales (2003) 217 CLR 92applied State Rail Authority of New South Wales v Earthline Constructions Pty Ltd (in liq) & Ors (1999) 160 ALR 588distinguished Varas v Fairfield City Council [2009] FCA 689 followed