Jian v Downing [2023] FCA 1018

Federal Court of Australia

Jian v Downing [2023] FCA 1018 File number(s): QUD 174 of 2022

Judgment of: MEAGHER J

Date of judgment: 28 August 2023

Catchwords: ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – Pharmaceutical Services Federal Committee of Inquiry ("the Committee") – Whether participation by a Member of the Committee gives rise to a reasonable apprehension of bias – Whether reasonable apprehension of bias extends to entire Committee by reason of interaction – Whether Counsel Assisting's involvement in proceeding is a further reason to apprehend bias on part of the Committee

Legislation: Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) ss 21, 23 Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth) s 39B National Health Act 1953 (Cth) ss 90, 92A, 95, 113, 114, 126, 134A

Cases cited: Aurora Funds Management Ltd v Australian Government Takeovers Panel (Judicial Review) [2020] FCA 496 Aussie Airlines Pty Ltd v Australian Airlines Pty Ltd & Qantas Airlines Ltd (1996) 65 FCR 215 Burgess v Minister for Immigration & Border Protection (2018) 259 FCR 197 CNY17 v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection (2019) 268 CLR 76; [2019] HCA 50 Ebner v Official Trustee in Bankruptcy (2000) 205 CLR 337 Hot Holdings Pty Ltd v Creasy (2002) 210 CLR 438; [2002] HCA 51 Isbester v Knox City Council (2015) 255 CLR 135; [2015] HCA 20 Kostov v Director of Public Prosecutions (NSW) (No 2) [2020] NSWCA 94 Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs v Jia (2001) 205 CLR 507 Oakey Coal Action Alliance Inc v New Acland Coal Pty Ltd (2021) 272 CLR 33; [2021] HCA 2 Ogawa v Australian Information Commissioner [2014] FCA 229 QYFM v Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs (2023) 409 ALR 65; [2023] HCA 15 R v ABT; Ex parte Hardiman (1980) 144 CLR 13 R v Doogan; Ex parte Lucas-Smith (2005) 193 FLR 239 Reece v Webber (2011) 192 FCR 254 Smits v Roach (2006) 227 CLR 423; [2006] HCA 36 Webb v The Queen (1994) 181 CLR 41 Whalebone v Auto Panel Beaters & Radiators Pty Ltd (In liq) [2011] NSWCA 176