Polaris Coomera Pty Ltd v Minister for the Environment [2021] FCA 254

Federal Court of Australia

Polaris Coomera Pty Ltd v Minister for the Environment [2021] FCA 254 File number: QUD 81 of 2020

Judgment of: RANGIAH J

Date of judgment: 22 March 2021

Catchwords: ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – application for judicial review of Minister's decision under s 75(1) Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) – where proposed development declared a controlled action – whether denial of natural justice – whether improper exercise of power – whether inadequate reasons – whether error of law – whether decision irrational – application dismissed with costs

Legislation: Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 (Cth) ss 5, 13 and 16 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) ss 3, 3A, 12, 15B, 18, 18A, 19, 37A, 37B, 67, 68, 75, 77, 87, 94, 95, 95C, 130, 134, 139, 266B, 523, 527E, Pts 3, 8 and 9 Fair Trade Act 1974 (Cth) s 45D Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth) s 39B

Cases cited: Applicant VEAL of 2002 v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (2005) 225 CLR 88 Applicant WAEE v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (2003) 236 FCR 593 Australian Brumby Alliance Inc v Parks Victoria Inc [2020] FCA 605 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Pacific National Pty Limited (2020) 378 ALR 1; [2020] FCAFC 77 Bat Advocacy NSW Inc v Minister for Environment Protection, Heritage and the Arts (2011) 180 LGERA 99; [2011] FCAFC 59 Booth v Bosworth (2001) 114 FCR 39 BRF038 v Republic of Nauru (2017) 349 ALR 67; [2017] HCA 44 BVD17 v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection (2019) 373 ALR 196; [2019] HCA 34 Carrascalao v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection (2017) 252 FCR 352 Commissioner for ACT Revenue v Alphaone Pty Ltd (1994) 49 FCR 576 CSR Ltd v Eddy (2005) 226 CLR 1 Dranichnikov v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (2003) 73 ALD 321; [2003] HCA 26 Friends of Leadbeater's Possum Inc v VicForests (No 4) [2020] FCA 704 Giretti v Commissioner of Taxation (1996) 70 FCR 151 Hossain v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection (2018) 264 CLR 123 Khan v Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs (1987) 14 ALD 291 Kim v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (2004) 38 AAR 31 Kioa v West (1985) 159 CLR 550 Minister for Aboriginal Affairs v Peko-Wallsend Limited (1986) 162 CLR 24 Minister for Home Affairs v Omar (2019) 272 FCR 589 Minister for Immigration and Border Protection v Sabharwal [2018] FCAFC 160 Minister for Immigration and Border Protection v SZMTA (2019) 264 CLR 421 Minister for Immigration and Citizenship v SZJSS (2010) 243 CLR 164 Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs v SZFDJ [2006] FCAFC 53 Northern Inland Council for the Environment Inc v Minister for the Environment (2013) 218 FCR 491 Project Blue Sky Inc v Australian Broadcasting Authority (1998) 194 CLR 355 SZBEL v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (2006) 228 CLR 152 SZDXZ v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship [2008] FCAFC 109 Tillmanns Butcheries v Australasian Meat Industry Employees' Union (1979) 27 ALR 367 Wingfoot Australia Partners Pty Ltd v Kocak (2013) 252 CLR 480