Bunting and Secretary, Department of Social Services

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) considered an application by Bunting against a decision of the Secretary, Department of Social Services. The core of the dispute concerned Bunting's failure to proceed with their application or comply with directions issued by the AAT within a reasonable time.

The primary legal issue before the AAT was whether Bunting's application should be dismissed for want of prosecution, or for failing to comply with the Tribunal's directions. This required the AAT to consider the scope of its powers under the *Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act* to manage its caseload and ensure applications are progressed efficiently.

The AAT reasoned that it had a general power to dismiss applications that are not being prosecuted with due diligence. In this instance, Bunting had not responded to communications from the Tribunal and had not taken steps to advance their application. The Tribunal applied the principle that parties have a responsibility to actively pursue their claims and comply with procedural requirements. Consequently, the AAT determined that it was appropriate to dismiss the application.