2316524 (Refugee)

The applicant, a citizen of Timor-Leste, sought review of a decision by the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs to refuse to grant a protection visa. The applicant's claim for a protection visa was based on economic hardship, including limited employment opportunities in Timor-Leste and an inability to repay a debt. The delegate of the Minister had found that the applicant had not provided sufficient credible evidence to substantiate their claims.

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal was required to determine whether the applicant had established that they would be owed protection under the *Migration Act 1958* (Cth) by reason of substantial cause for not returning to Timor-Leste. This involved assessing the credibility and sufficiency of the evidence presented by the applicant regarding their economic circumstances and the potential consequences of their return.

The Tribunal affirmed the delegate's decision, finding that the applicant had failed to discharge the onus of proof. The Tribunal concluded that the evidence presented did not establish that the applicant would face substantial cause for not returning to Timor-Leste, nor did it demonstrate that they would be unable to access basic necessities or face persecution due to their economic situation. The Tribunal was not satisfied that the applicant's claims of economic hardship were sufficiently credible or evidenced to warrant the grant of a protection visa.