McAtamney v Superannuation Complaints Tribunal [2016] FCA 1062

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

McAtamney v Superannuation Complaints Tribunal [2016] FCA 1062 File number: VID 421 of 2014

Judge: NORTH J

Date of judgment: 2 September 2016

Catchwords: ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – superannuation – Superannuation (Resolution of Complaints) Act 1993 (Cth) – complaint treated as withdrawn pursuant to s 22(3)(b) – right of appeal pursuant to s 46 – meaning of "determination" within s 46 – decision to treat complaint as withdrawn not a "determination" – remedies available for error of law under s 39B(1A)(c) of the Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth) and Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 (Cth) SUPERANNUATION – Superannuation (Resolution of Complaints) Act 1993 (Cth) – statutory duty of Superannuation Complaints Tribunal – Tribunal must determine for itself whether decision of trustee fair and reasonable – no onus of proof upon complainant – Tribunal mistook its statutory duty – decision to treat complaint as withdrawn was legally unreasonable

Legislation: Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (Cth) s 25D Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 (Cth) ss 5(1)(e), 5(1)(f), 5(2)(g), 11(1)(c), 16 Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth) s 39B(1A)(c) Superannuation (Resolution of Complaints) Act 1993 (Cth) ss 14(2), 22(3)(b), 22(4), 37(3), 37(6), 46

Cases cited: AZAEY v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection [2015] FCAFC 193; 238 FCR 341 at [10] Board of Trustees of the State Public Sector Superannuation Scheme v Edington [2011] FCAFC 8; 119 ALR 272 Craig v State of South Australia [1995] HCA 58; 184 CLR 163 HEST Australia Ltd v Sykley [2005] FCA 1381; 147 FCR 248 Kirk v Industrial Court (NSW) [2010] HCA 1; 239 CLR 531 McDonald v Director-General of Social Security [1984] FCA 59; 1 FCR 354 Merkel v Superannuation Complaints Tribunal [2010] FCA 564 Minister for Immigration and Citizenship v Le [2007] HCA 1318; 161 FCR 151 Minister for Immigration and Citizenship v Li [2013] HCA 18; 249 CLR 332 Minister for Immigration and Citizenship v SZIAI [2009] HCA 39; 83 ALJR 1123 Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs v Yusuf [2001] HCA 30; 206 CLR 323 Prasad v Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs [1985] FCA 46; (1985) 6 FCR 155 R v War Pensions Entitlement Appeal Tribunal; Ex Parte Bott (1933) 50 CLR 228 Re Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs; Ex Parte Applicant S20/2002 [2003] HCA 30 Ray v Superannuation Complaints Tribunal [2004] FCA 1120; 138 FCR 548 Yang v Minister for Immigration & Multicultural & Indigenous Affairs [2003] FCAFC 258; 132 FCR 571