AQX15 v Minister for Immigration

The applicant, AQX15, sought judicial review of a decision made by the Minister for Immigration. The dispute concerned the Minister's decision to refuse to grant AQX15 a visa. The matter was heard in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.

The primary legal issue before the Court was whether the Minister's decision to refuse the visa was affected by jurisdictional error. Specifically, the Court was required to consider whether the delegate of the Minister, in assessing AQX15's application, had failed to consider relevant considerations or had taken into account irrelevant considerations, thereby vitiating the decision.

Judge Street found that the delegate had indeed failed to consider a crucial piece of evidence that was relevant to AQX15's eligibility for the visa. This failure constituted a jurisdictional error. The Court reasoned that administrative decision-makers are bound to consider all relevant material placed before them. By overlooking the significant evidence, the delegate had not properly exercised the power conferred upon them by the relevant legislation. Consequently, the decision to refuse the visa was invalid.

The Court ordered that the decision of the Minister be set aside and remitted to the Minister for reconsideration according to law.