Cummins v Petterd [2021] FCA 646

Federal Court of Australia

Cummins v Petterd [2021] FCA 646 File number: ACD 56 of 2020

Judgment of: FLICK J

Date of judgment: 16 June 2021

Catchwords: SUPERANNUATION – financial services – superannuation complaints – Australian Financial Complaints Authority ("AFCA") given powers to determine superannuation complaints under s 1055 Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) – where AFCA required to decide whether satisfied that superannuation trustee's decision "fair and reasonable in all the circumstances" – whether AFCA required to accommodate the "rule" in Browne v Dunn (1894) 6 R 67

Legislation: Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (Cth) s 25D Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975 (Cth) ss 33, 43 Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) ss 1051, 1052, 1055, 1057 Migration Act 1958 (Cth) s 420

Cases cited: B & L Linings Pty Ltd v Chief Commissioner of State Revenue [2008] NSWCA 187 Browne v Dunn (1894) 6 R 67 Mercer Superannuation (Australia) Ltd v Billinghurst [2017] FCAFC 201, (2017) 255 FCR 144 Millar v Federal Commissioner of Taxation [2015] FCA 1104, (2015) 67 AAR 490 Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs v Eshetu [1999] HCA 21, (1999) 197 CLR 611 QSuper Board v Australian Financial Complaints Authority Ltd [2020] FCAFC 55, (2020) 276 FCR 97 R v Australian Stevedoring Industry Board; Ex parte Melbourne Stevedoring Co Pty Ltd (1953) 88 CLR 100 Re Ruddock; Ex parte Applicant S154/2002 [2003] HCA 60, (2003) 201 ALR 437 Rushton v Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation (No 3) [2021] FCA 358 Sullivan v Civil Aviation Safety Authority [2014] FCAFC 93, (2014) 226 FCR 555 Twentyman v Secretary, Department of Social Services [2018] FCA 1892, (2018) 76 AAR 449 Wecker v Secretary, Department of Education Science and Training [2008] FCAFC 108, (2008) 168 FCR 272