Bunnag v Minister for Immigration

FEDERAL MAGISTRATES COURT OF AUSTRALIA

BUNNAG v MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION & ANOR [2007] FMCA 1843

MIGRATION – Migration Review Tribunal – whether jurisdictional error.

Evidence Act 1995 (Cth), s.56(2)
Migration Act 1958 (Cth), ss.276, 352(4), 359A(4)(b), 359(1), 359C(1), 362(3), 363A , 373, 375, 375A, 376, 379A, 379G(2), and Part 5 Division 5, Division 8A
Migration Regulations 1994 (Cth), reg. 1.15(A)(1A)(b), Schedule 2, cl. 801, 820

Abebe v Commonwealth (1999) 197 CLR 510
Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs v Jia Legeng [2001] 205 CLR 507
Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs v Lay Lat (2006) 151 FCR 214; [2006] FCAFC 61
Minister for Immigration & Multicultural & Indigenous Affairs v SGLB (2004) 207 ALR 12; [2004] HCA 32
Minister for Immigration & Multicultural & Indigenous Affairs v SZFDE [2006] FCAFC 142
Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs v Yusuf (2001) 206 CLR 323
NBKJ v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs [2005] FCAFC 238
SZCIG vMinister for Immigration & Multicultural & Indigenous Affairs [2006] FCAFC 62
WAGP v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs [2006] FCAFC 103

Applicant: NAVAPHAN BUNNAG

First Respondent: MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION & CITIZENSHIP

Second Respondent: MIGRATION REVIEW TRIBUNAL

File number: PEG 102 OF2006

Judgment of: Lucev FM

Hearing date: 6 February 2007

Date of last submission: 6 February 2007

Delivered at: Perth

Delivered on: 12 November 2007

REPRESENTATION

Counsel for the Applicant: Mr T V Hurley

Solicitors for the Applicant: Mark Andrews Legal

Counsel for the Respondents: Mr J D Allanson

Solicitors for the Respondent: Australian Government Solicitor

ORDERS

1. The name of the first respondent be amended to “Minister for Immigration and Citizenship”.

2. The application be dismissed.

3. The applicant pay the first respondent’s costs in the amount of $5000 within 14 days.

FEDERAL MAGISTRATES
COURT OF AUSTRALIA AT
PERTH

PEG 102 of 2006

NAVAPHAN BUNNAG

Applicant

And

MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION & CITIZENSHIP

First Respondent

MIGRATION REVIEW TRIBUNAL

Second Respondent

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT

Background facts

1. The applicant is a Thai national. He originally entered Australia on a sub-class 670 visa in April 1993.[1] The applicant variously departed from and re-entered Australia on a number of occasions between April 1993 and February 1996, holding valid visitor and student visas.

   [1] CB 84.

2. The applicant’s last entry to Australia was on 4 February 1996. He entered as the holder of a student visa which ceased on 15 March 1997.[2]

   [2] CB 82.

3. The applicant seemingly remained in Australia, possibly unlawfully, prior to making an application on 19 September 2000 for migration to Australia as the partner of Leisha Buckley.[3]

   [3] “Sponsor”.

4. The first respondent, the then the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs,[4] refused the applicant’s visa application.[5] The delegate of the Minister determined that the applicant and Sponsor were not in a genuine and continuing marital relationship.[6]

   [4] “Minister”.

   [5] CB 221-225.

   [6] CB 224.

5. On 8 December 2004 the Applicant sought review by the second respondent, the Migration Review Tribunal.[7]

   [7] “Tribunal”. CB 228.

6. Prior to making…