Hutchinson v Comcare [2020] FCA 1508

Federal Court of Australia

Hutchinson v Comcare [2020] FCA 1508 File number: WAD 161 of 2020

Judgment of: JACKSON J

Date of judgment: 16 October 2020

Catchwords: PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – interlocutory application pursuant to s 10(2)(b)(ii) Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 (Cth) for refusal of originating application seeking judicial review - whether complaint more appropriately pursued in Administrative Appeals Tribunal pursuant to s 64 Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (Cth) - question to be considered in the circumstances of the case - where applicant seeks judicial review on basis of denial of procedural fairness, not merits review - application dismissed

Legislation: Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975 (Cth) ss 29, 40, 43, 44 Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 (Cth) ss 5, 6, 10 Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (Cth) ss 60, 62, 64, 65, Part VI Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) s 37M Federal Court Rules 2011 (Cth) rr 30.01, 30.02

Cases cited: ActewAGL Distribution v The Australian Energy Regulator [2011] FCA 639; (2011) 195 FCR 142 Clement v Comcare [2007] FCA 2039 Cremona v Administrative Appeals Tribunal [2015] FCAFC 72; (2015) 230 FCR 1 CSL Australia Pty Ltd v Minister for Infrastructure and Transport [2014] FCAFC 10; (2014) 221 FCR 165 Drake v Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs (1979) 2 ALD 60; 24 ALR 577 Duncan v Fayle [2004] FCA 723; (2004) 138 FCR 510 Edelsten v Minister for Health (1994) 58 FCR 419 Hutchinson v Comcare (No 4) [2019] FCA 1133 Hutchinson v Comcare [2018] FCA 505 Kelly v Coats (1981) 35 ALR 93 Kimberly-Clark Ltd v Commissioner of Patents (1988) 83 ALR 714 McGowan v Migration Agents Registration Authority [2003] FCA 482; (2003) 129 FCR 118 Swan Portland Cement Ltd v Comptroller-General of Customs (1989) 25 FCR 523 Von Stieglitz v Comcare [2012] FCA 55