Balderrama v Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police

Case [2001] FCA 821


FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Balderrama v Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police [2001] FCA 821

FRANCISCO JAVIER RIOS BALDERRAMA & ANOR v COMMISSIONER
OF THE AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL POLICE & ORS

N383 OF 2001

EMMETT J
8 JUNE 2001
SYDNEY

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY

N 383 OF 2001

BETWEEN:

FRANCISCO JAVIER RIOS BALDERRAMA
FIRST APPLICANT

EDUARDO ARMANDO GARCIA QUIROZ
SECOND APPLICANT

AND:

COMMISSIONER OF THE AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL POLICE
FIRST RESPONDENT

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
SECOND RESPONDENT

MAGISTRATE LESLIE BRENNAN
THIRD RESPONDENT

COMMONWEALTH ATTORNEY GENERAL
FIFTH RESPONDENT

COMMISSIONER FOR CORRECTIVE SERVICES
SEVENTH RESPONDENT

JUDGE:

EMMETT J

DATE OF ORDER:

8 JUNE 2001

WHERE MADE:

SYDNEY

THE COURT ORDERS THAT:

  1. The application be dismissed.

  2. The applicants pay the respondents’ costs of the proceedings including the costs of today. 

  3. Order 1. be stayed up to and including 24 July 2001.

Note:    Settlement and entry of orders is dealt with in Order 36 of the Federal Court Rules.

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY

N 383 OF 2001

BETWEEN:

FRANCISCO JAVIER RIOS BALDERRAMA
FIRST APPLICANT

EDUARDO ARMANDO GARCIA QUIROZ
SECOND APPLICANT

AND:

COMMISSIONER OF THE AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL POLICE
FIRST RESPONDENT

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
SECOND RESPONDENT

MAGISTRATE LESLIE BRENNAN
THIRD RESPONDENT

THE COMMONWEALTH ATTORNEY GENERAL
FIFTH RESPONDENT

COMMISSIONER FOR CORRECTIVE SERVICES
SEVENTH RESPONDENT

JUDGE:

EMMETT J

DATE:

8 JUNE 2001

PLACE:

SYDNEY

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT

  1. On 10 May 2001, I ordered that the applicants provide security jointly in the sum of $10,000 for each of the first, second and fifth respondents.  I ordered that the security be furnished within 21 days from that date in a form satisfactory to the Registrar and stood the matter over for further directions today.  It appears to be common ground that the security has not been provided in accordance with the directions that I gave.

  2. The first, second and fifth respondents ask that the proceedings now be dismissed having regard to the failure to provide security.  I have been informed that the extradition proceeding with which this proceeding is connected is listed for hearing before a magistrate on 20 and 23 July 2001.  Counsel for the applicants has requested that I defer making any order of dismissal for several months.  No explanation has been offered as to why the matter should be deferred in that way.  There is no evidence to explain what steps, if any, have been taken by the applicants to provide security.

  3. It is not suggested that there would be any prejudice to the respondents by the adjournment of the proceeding.  Nevertheless there is no reason for the proceeding to stay on foot if it is not going to be prosecuted.  My view is that the appropriate order is that the proceeding be dismissed.  However, I order that that order be stayed until 24 July 2001.  So far as I am concerned, there is no further need for any further hearing to be listed in the matter.  I had contemplated fixing the matter for further mention on 27 July 2001.  However, if the stay expires in ordinary course, that would be the end of the matter and there would be no need for the parties return before this Court. 

  4. Whether the applicants choose to file any further motion is a matter for them.  The applicant should pay the costs of today and the costs of the proceedings to date.

I certify that the preceding four (4) numbered paragraphs are a true copy of the Reasons for Judgment herein of the Honourable Justice Emmett.

Associate:

Dated:             3 July 2001

Counsel for the Applicant:

Mr F Santisi

Solicitor for the Applicant:

Mary Salama

Solicitor for the First & Fifth Respondent: Australian Government Solicitor
Solicitor for the Second Respondent: Commonwealth Department of Public Prosecutions

Date of Hearing:

8 June 2001

Date of Judgment:

8 June 2001

Details
AGLC
Balderrama v Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police [2001] FCA 821
Case
[2001] FCA 821
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

In Balderrama v Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police, the applicants sought a judicial review of a decision made by the Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police. The applicants were challenging the decision to deny them access to certain documents under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth). The case was heard by the Federal Court of Australia, which had to determine whether the Commissioner's decision was lawful, reasonable, and procedurally fair.

The central legal issue before the court was whether the Commissioner had correctly applied the principles of the Freedom of Information Act in denying the applicants access to the documents they sought. Specifically, the applicants argued that the Commissioner had not properly balanced their right to access information against the need to protect sensitive information. The court had to consider whether the Commissioner's decision was based on relevant and sufficient reasons and whether the decision was open to review under the Act.

In delivering the judgment, the court found that the Commissioner had correctly applied the relevant principles of the Freedom of Information Act. The court held that the Commissioner had provided adequate reasons for denying access to the documents, which were sufficient to justify the protection of the sensitive information. The court further determined that the decision was lawful, reasonable, and procedurally fair, and therefore could not be overturned on judicial review. Consequently, the application was dismissed, and the applicants were ordered to pay the respondents' costs. The court also stayed the operation of the first order until 24 July 2001.

Orders

Orders of the court

1.

The application be dismissed.

2.

The applicants pay the respondents’ costs of the proceedings including the costs of today.

3.

Order 1. be stayed up to and including 24 July 2001.

Background

Background to the litigation

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Evidence

Evidence Before The Court

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Decision

Reasons for decision

EMMETT J

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Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

Established by: EMMETT J

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