Karatunov and Minister for Immigration and Border Protection (Citizenship)

This matter concerned an application for review of a decision by a delegate of the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection to refuse Mr Igor Karatunov's application for Australian citizenship. The refusal was based on the delegate's dissatisfaction that the Applicant met the "good character" requirement stipulated in section 21(2)(h) of the *Australian Citizenship Act 2007* (Cth). The Applicant sought review of this decision before the Tribunal.

The Tribunal was required to determine whether the Applicant satisfied the "good character" requirement for Australian citizenship at the time of the Minister's decision. This involved assessing the Applicant's character in light of an appearance before the Richlands Magistrates Court for the offence of Contravention of Domestic Violence Order, for which he was found guilty and fined, although no conviction was recorded.

In reaching its decision, the Tribunal affirmed the delegate's refusal. The Tribunal considered the Applicant's conviction for contravening a domestic violence order as a relevant factor in assessing his good character. Despite the absence of a formal conviction, the finding of guilt and the imposition of a fine were deemed significant. The Tribunal concluded that, based on this conduct, it was not satisfied that the Applicant met the good character requirement as mandated by section 21(2)(h) of the Act. Consequently, the Tribunal affirmed the delegate's decision to refuse the citizenship application.