NWWJ v Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs

NWWJ, an individual from Afghanistan, sought to appeal a decision of the Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia which dismissed an earlier appeal against the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs. The Full Court had dismissed NWWJ's appeal against the decision to cancel his visa on the basis that he was not a genuine temporary entrant and that he did not satisfy the character test. NWWJ sought special leave to appeal to the High Court of Australia on the basis that the Full Court had erred in its approach to assessing the credibility of NWWJ's evidence and in its approach to the character test.

The High Court considered whether the Full Court's decision was so plainly wrong that it ought to be reviewed by the High Court. The High Court found that there was no reason to doubt the correctness of the Full Court's decision, and that the Full Court had properly assessed the credibility of NWWJ's evidence and applied the correct legal principles to the character test. The High Court found that it would be futile to grant the extension of time sought by NWWJ, as there was no reasonable prospect that the appeal would succeed.

Accordingly, the High Court dismissed the application for special leave to appeal and directed the Registrar to draw up, sign and seal an order dismissing the application. The Full Court's decision that NWWJ was not a genuine temporary entrant and that he did not satisfy the character test stood affirmed. The High Court's decision emphasises the importance of properly assessing the credibility of evidence and applying the correct legal principles in visa cancellation cases.