Lee v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship

Case [2008] FCA 1919


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

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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
Details
AGLC
Lee v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship [2008] FCA 1919
Case
[2008] FCA 1919
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The case of Lee v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship involved a dispute between the applicant, Mr Lee, and the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship regarding the cancellation of Mr Lee’s visa. The High Court of Australia was tasked with determining whether the Minister had acted within his powers when he cancelled Mr Lee’s visa, and whether Mr Lee’s rights under the Constitution were thereby infringed. The central issue was whether the Minister’s actions were lawful, specifically whether they were authorised by the Migration Act and whether they complied with the principles of natural justice and the Constitution. The Court had to assess whether the statutory provisions and the procedures followed by the Minister were sufficient to meet constitutional standards of fairness.

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

TAMBERLIN J

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Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

Established by: TAMBERLIN J

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