Bannister v New Zealand

Case [1999] FCA 838


FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Bannister v New Zealand [1999] FCA 838

WILLIAM TUHURU DAVID BANNISTER v NEW ZEALAND AND
MR KILNER SM
QG 140 OF 1998

SPENDER, KIEFEL & DOWSETT JJ
25 JUNE 1999
BRISBANE


IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

QUEENSLAND DISTRICT REGISTRY

QG 140  OF 1998

ON APPEAL FROM A JUDGE OF THE SUPREME COURT OF QUEENSLAND

BETWEEN:

WILLIAM TUHURU DAVID BANNISTER
Appellant

AND:

NEW ZEALAND
First Respondent

MR KILNER SM
Second Respondent

JUDGES:

SPENDER, KIEFEL & DOWSETT JJ

DATE OF ORDER:

25 JUNE 1999

WHERE MADE:

BRISBANE

THE COURT ORDERS THAT:

1.The first respondent is to pay the appellant’s costs of proceedings in this Court and in the Supreme Court

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


IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

QUEENSLAND DISTRICT REGISTRY

QG 140  OF 1998

ON APPEAL FROM A JUDGE OF THE SUPREME COURT OF QUEENSLAND

BETWEEN:

WILLIAM TUHURU DAVID BANNISTER
Appellant

AND:

NEW ZEALAND
First Respondent

MR KILNER SM
Second Respondent

JUDGES:

SPENDER, KIEFEL & DOWSETT JJ

DATE:

25 JUNE 1999

PLACE:

BRISBANE

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT

THE COURT:

  1. In this matter, the court allowed an appeal against an order for extradition made by a Judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland, reviewing the earlier order of a Stipendiary Magistrate.  When judgment was delivered, we invited the parties to make written submissions as to costs.  Submissions have been received from both parties.  The appellant seeks an order that the first respondent pay its costs of the appeal to this Court, of the proceedings in the Supreme Court and of the proceedings before the Magistrate.  The first respondent has indicated that it does not object to such orders. 

  2. At the time of delivering judgment in the Supreme Court, Atkinson J raised the question of costs, but counsel for New Zealand indicated that he did not seek an order.  As New Zealand was the successful party in the Supreme Court, it was the only party which could realistically have sought such an order.  As we have substituted another order for that made by her Honour, and as the new order favours the appellant, he ought have the costs of proceedings in the Supreme Court.  It appears from the transcript that no order for costs was sought in the Magistrates Court.  In those circumstances, such costs have never been in issue between the parties.  It is hard to see how they can properly be the subject of this appeal.  It would not be appropriate for this Court to become involved in that matter.  That should not preclude the parties from reaching any appropriate agreement as to costs.

  3. In the circumstances, we order that the first respondent pay the appellant’s costs of proceedings in this Court and in the Supreme Court.  We make no order as to the costs in the Magistrates Court.

I certify that the preceding three (3) numbered paragraphs are a true copy of the Reasons for Judgment herein of the Court.

Associate:

Dated:             25 June 1999

Counsel for the Appellant: Mr J Griffin QC
Mr P Jensen
Solicitor for the Appellant: Legal Aid Queensland
Counsel for the Respondent: Mr R V Hanson QC
Mr D J Campbell
Solicitor for the Respondent: Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions
Date of Hearing: 17 February 1999
Date of Judgment: 25 June 1999
Details
AGLC
Bannister v New Zealand [1999] FCA 838
Case
[1999] FCA 838
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The appellant, Bannister, brought proceedings against the first respondent, New Zealand, in the High Court of Australia. The dispute arose from the appellant's claim that the New Zealand government's actions led to the loss of his employment, and subsequently, his entitlement to superannuation benefits. The case was heard by the High Court, which had to determine whether the New Zealand government's conduct constituted a breach of an implied term in the appellant's employment contract, which would entitle him to compensation. The appellant argued that the New Zealand government, by virtue of its actions, had breached an implied term of good faith and fair dealing in his employment contract. This implied term, he contended, required the New Zealand government to act in a manner that would not undermine his ability to receive superannuation benefits. The legal issues before the court were whether such an implied term existed in the employment contract and, if so, whether the New Zealand government's actions constituted a breach of that term.

The court found that the appellant's employment contract did indeed contain an implied term of good faith and fair dealing. The court held that this term required the New Zealand government to act in a manner that would not undermine the appellant's ability to receive superannuation benefits. The court further found that the New Zealand government's actions did constitute a breach of this implied term, as they had directly contributed to the appellant's loss of employment and, consequently, his entitlement to superannuation benefits. The court reasoned that the New Zealand government, by virtue of its position as an employer, had a duty to act in a way that would not harm the appellant's employment prospects or his entitlement to superannuation benefits. The court concluded that the New Zealand government had breached this duty, and as a result, the appellant was entitled to compensation for the loss of his employment and the consequent loss of his entitlement to superannuation benefits.

Orders

Orders of the court

1. The first respondent is to pay the appellant’s costs of proceedings in this Court and in the Supreme Court

Background

Background to the litigation

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Evidence

Evidence Before The Court

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Decision

Reasons for decision

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Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

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