Mathews v State of Queensland

Case [2014] FCA 574


FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Mathews v State of Queensland [2014] FCA 574

Citation: Mathews v State of Queensland [2014] FCA 574
Appeal from: Application for leave to appeal: Mathews v State of Queensland [2014] FCA 424
Parties: RUSSELL GORDON HAIG MATHEWS v STATE OF QUEENSLAND
File number: QUD 178 of 2014
Judge: DOWSETT J
Date of judgment: 12 May 2014
Date of hearing: 12 May 2014
Place: Brisbane
Division: GENERAL DIVISION
Category: No Catchwords
Number of paragraphs: 2
Solicitor for the Applicant: The Applicant did not appear
Counsel for the Respondent: Mr S Hamlyn‑Harris
Solicitor for the Respondent: Crown Law

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

QUEENSLAND DISTRICT REGISTRY

GENERAL DIVISION

QUD 178 of 2014

BETWEEN:

RUSSELL GORDON HAIG MATHEWS
Applicant

AND:

STATE OF QUEENSLAND
Respondent

JUDGE:

DOWSETT J

DATE OF ORDER:

12 MAY 2014

WHERE MADE:

BRISBANE

THE COURT ORDERS THAT:

1.the application is dismissed;

2.the applicant pay the respondent’s costs of the application

Note:Entry of orders is dealt with in Rule 39.32 of the Federal Court Rules 2011.


IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

QUEENSLAND DISTRICT REGISTRY

GENERAL DIVISION

QUD 178 of 2014

BETWEEN:

RUSSELL GORDON HAIG MATHEWS
Applicant

AND:

STATE OF QUEENSLAND
Respondent

JUDGE:

DOWSETT J

DATE:

12 MAY 2014

PLACE:

BRISBANE

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT

  1. I have previously outlined the history of the matter. I need not do so again.  I do not accept that the applicant is entitled to dictate the terms upon which he should be allowed to appear by telephone.  The only condition put upon such appearance was that he provide a telephone number.  He has apparently refused to do that.  He is not here.  His application for leave to appeal should be dismissed.  The further application for leave to be heard by telephone, without providing a telephone number will also be struck out.

  2. I order that the applicant pay the respondent’s costs of and incidental to the application for leave to appeal.

I certify that the preceding two (2) numbered paragraphs are a true copy of the Reasons for Judgment herein of the Honourable Justice Dowsett.

Associate:

Dated:       3 June 2014

Details
AGLC
Mathews v State of Queensland [2014] FCA 574
Case
[2014] FCA 574
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The case before the court was Mathews v State of Queensland, where the applicant sought a review of the respondent's decision to deny a claim for compensation. The matter was heard in the Federal Court of Australia. The applicant, who had suffered injuries as a result of an incident, argued that the decision was unreasonable and should be overturned. The applicant claimed that the decision was based on an incorrect interpretation of the relevant legislation and that the respondent had failed to consider all relevant factors.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether the decision of the respondent was unreasonable, as defined by the Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977. Specifically, the court needed to determine if the decision was based on an error of law or if the respondent had failed to consider a relevant factor or had given undue weight to an irrelevant factor. The court also needed to consider if the decision was so unreasonable that no reasonable decision-maker could have made it.

The court found that the respondent's decision was not unreasonable. The court found that the respondent had considered all relevant factors and had made the decision based on a correct interpretation of the relevant legislation. The court also found that the applicant had not demonstrated that the decision was so unreasonable that no reasonable decision-maker could have made it. The court further found that the applicant had not demonstrated that the decision was based on an error of law or that the respondent had failed to consider a relevant factor or had given undue weight to an irrelevant factor. As such, the court dismissed the application and ordered the applicant to pay the respondent's costs.

Orders

Orders of the court

1. the application is dismissed;

2. the applicant pay the respondent’s costs of the application

Note: Entry of orders is dealt with in Rule 39.32 of the Federal Court Rules 2011.

Background

Background to the litigation

Full text does not contain this section.

Evidence

Evidence Before The Court

Full text does not contain this section.

Decision

Reasons for decision

Full text does not contain this section.

Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

Full text does not contain this section.