Abdul Karim and Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs (Citizenship)

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) considered an application for citizenship by conferral made by Mr Abdul Karim. The Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs had refused Mr Karim's application, a decision which was under review by the AAT. The central dispute concerned whether Mr Karim was of good character for the purposes of section 21(4)(f) of the *Australian Citizenship Act 2007* (Cth).

The AAT was required to determine whether the Minister's decision to refuse citizenship on the grounds that Mr Karim was not of good character was the correct or preferable decision. This involved assessing the evidence before the AAT regarding Mr Karim's character and applying the relevant legal tests for good character as contemplated by the Act.

Deputy President B W Rayment Oam Kc P found that the Minister's decision was not the correct or preferable one. The Tribunal set aside the original decision and remitted the matter to the Minister for reconsideration according to law. This indicated that the AAT concluded the refusal was based on an incorrect assessment of Mr Karim's character.