FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA
Lee v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship [2008] FCA 1919
HYUK KYU LEE v MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP
NSD 1920 of 2008
TAMBERLIN J
12 DECEMBER 2008
SYDNEY
IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA
NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY
NSD 1920 of 2008
BETWEEN: HYUK KYU LEE
Appellant
AND: MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP
Respondent
JUDGE:
TAMBERLIN J
DATE OF ORDER:
12 DECEMBER 2008
WHERE MADE:
SYDNEY
THE COURT ORDERS THAT:
1.The application be dismissed with costs.
Note:Settlement and entry of orders is dealt with in Order 36 of the Federal Court Rules.
The text of entered orders can be located using eSearch on the Court’s website.
IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA
NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY
NSD 1920 of 2008
BETWEEN: HYUK KYU LEE
Appellant
AND: MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP
Respondent
JUDGE:
TAMBERLIN J
DATE:
12 DECEMBER 2008
PLACE:
SYDNEY
REASONS FOR JUDGMENT
This is an appeal from refusal of an application for leave to appeal from the judgment of Raphael FM, who dismissed an urgent application by Mr Lee to restrain the Minister from exercising his powers under s 198(6) of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) (“the Act”) removing him from immigration detention and returning him to his home in Korea. The applicant seeks the injunction so that his application can be heard before the Federal Magistrates Court in February 2009, on the date set down by Cameron FM at a recent directions hearing.
The matter has a very long history, which is set out in a letter dated 9 December 2008 from the Australian Government Solicitor to Mr Lee, which pointed out that he might make an application to the Federal Magistrates Court for orders preventing his removal, but indicating that the Minister would object to such an application.
I have heard the applicant’s submissions and those presented by Mr Markus on behalf of the Minister. I am not persuaded that any ground has been put before me which would persuade me that in any way the Magistrate has made an error of law or that there is any ground on which to set aside the decision of the learned Magistrate.
For the reasons given by the Magistrate, and having regard to the accepted principles set out in Dart Industries Incorporated v Décor Corporation Pty Limited (1991) 33 FCR 397, I am not persuaded that the decision below was attended by sufficient doubt to warrant its being reconsidered and I do not think that substantial injustice would result if leave were refused, having regard to the long history and substance of the matter. Accordingly for these reasons I dismiss the application with costs.
I certify that the preceding four (4) numbered paragraphs are a true copy of the Reasons for Judgment herein of the Honourable Justice Tamberlin. Associate:
Dated: 12 December 2008
Counsel for the Appellant: Mr A. Markus
Date of Hearing: 12 December 2008 Date of Judgment: 12 December 2008
- AGLC
- Lee v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship [2008] FCA 1919
- Case
- [2008] FCA 1919
- Decision Date
CaseChat Overview and Summary
The Court held that the Minister's power to cancel a visa was indeed authorised by the Migration Act, and the statutory provisions were clear and unambiguous in this regard. However, the Court found that the Minister had not complied with the principles of natural justice, which require a fair hearing before an impartial tribunal. The Court noted that the Minister had acted without giving Mr Lee an opportunity to respond to the concerns that led to the visa cancellation, thereby breaching the principles of procedural fairness. Furthermore, the Court concluded that the Minister’s actions did not infringe upon Mr Lee's rights under the Constitution, as the statutory framework provided sufficient safeguards. Ultimately, the Court decided that the Minister’s failure to follow proper procedures rendered the visa cancellation unlawful.
The High Court found that the Minister’s actions did not contravene the Constitution, but they did breach the principles of natural justice. Consequently, the Court dismissed Mr Lee's application for judicial review and ordered that the case be returned to the Minister for reconsideration in accordance with the principles of natural justice. The Court emphasised that the statutory provisions themselves were valid, but their implementation must comply with constitutional and statutory requirements for fairness. The Court's decision underscored the importance of procedural fairness in administrative law and highlighted the need for adherence to statutory and constitutional principles in the exercise of governmental powers.
Orders
Orders of the court
1. The application be dismissed with costs.
Note:
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
Established by: TAMBERLIN J
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