Houston v State of New South Wales [2020] FCA 502

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Houston v State of New South Wales [2020] FCA 502 File number: NSD 1513 of 2019

Judge: GRIFFITHS J

Date of judgment: 17 April 2020

Catchwords: COSTS – interlocutory application for maximum costs order under r 40.51 of the Federal Court Rules 2011 (Cth) in proceeding against the State of New South Wales challenging the validity of the Native Vegetation Act 2003 (NSW) and other relevant legislation – consideration of principles guiding the exercise of the Court's discretion under r 40.51 – interlocutory application dismissed with costs

Legislation: Australian Constitution, ss 51(xxxi), 61, 92, 96 Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW), s 123(1) Land and Environment Court Act 1979 (NSW), s 69(2) Federal Court Rules 2011 (Cth), r 40.51

Cases cited: Bare v Small [2013] VSCA 204; 47 VR 255 Corcoran v Virgin Blue Airlines Pty Ltd [2008] FCA 864 De Silva v Ruddock (in his capacity as Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs) [1998] FCA 311 Flanagan v Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police (1996) 60 FCR 149 Hanisch v Strive Pty Ltd [1997] FCA 303; 74 FCR 384 McKay Super Solutions Pty Ltd (Trustee) v Bellamy's Australia Ltd (No 2) [2019] FCA 215 Oshlack v Richmond River Council [1998] HCA 11; 193 CLR 72 Physical Disability Council of NSW v Sydney City Council [1999] FCA 815 Ruddock v Vadarlis (No 2) [2001] FCA 1865; 115 FCR 229 Smith v Airservices Australia [2005] FCA 997 Spencer v Commonwealth [2018] FCAFC 17; 262 FCR 344 Woodlands v Permanent Trustee Company Limited (1995) 58 FCR 139