Rouse v Minister of Fisheries [2003] NSWSC 700

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Rouse v Minister of Fisheries [2003] NSWSC 700 HEARING DATE(S) : 24 - 25 July 2003 JUDGMENT DATE : 1 August 2003

JURISDICTION: Common Law Division Administrative Law List JUDGMENT OF : Master Malpass DECISION : The decisions made and described in the letter dated 29 November 2001 from Steve Dunn (Director, NSW Fisheries) are set aside. The defendant is to pay the costs of the proceedings. The Exhibits may be returned.

CATCHWORDS : Decision revoking fishing endorsements - policy on licence splitting - Wednesbury unreasonableness - power of revocation - abuse of power. Administrative Decisions Tribunal Act 1997, s 49. LEGISLATION CITED : Fisheries Management Act 1994, Pt 1, s 3, s 4, Pt 4, Divis 1, s 102, s104, s 104 (4), s 104 (6), Divis 2, s 108. Fisheries Management (General) Regulation 1995, r 148 Supreme Court Act 1970, s 69. Associated Provincial Picture Houses Ltd v Wednesbury Corporation [1948] 1 KB 223. CASES CITED : Attorney General (NSW) v Quin (1990) 170 CLR 1. Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs v Teoh (1995) 183 CLR 273. Nardell Colliery Pty Ltd v New South Wales Coal Compensation Review Tribunal & Anor [2003] NSWSC 462. John Ballantyne Rouse (Plaintiff) PARTIES : v Minister of Fisheries (Defendant) FILE NUMBER(S) : SC 30049 of 2003 COUNSEL : Mr J Priestley (Plaintiff) Mr R Lancaster (Defendant) SOLICITORS : James Fuggle Solicitors (Plaintiff) I V Knight - Crown Solicitor (Defendant)