Oze-Igiehon and Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs (Citizenship)

This matter concerned an application for Australian citizenship by conferral made by the Applicant, Mr Oze-Igiehon, which was refused by a delegate of the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs. The Applicant sought review of this decision before the Tribunal. The core of the dispute revolved around the delegate's satisfaction, or lack thereof, regarding the Applicant's identity and good character, which are prerequisites for the grant of citizenship under the *Citizenship Act 1948* (Cth).

The legal issues before the Tribunal were whether it was satisfied of the Applicant's identity and whether the Applicant was of good character, as required by sections 21(2)(h) and 24(3) of the *Citizenship Act*. Section 24(3) of the Act mandates that the Minister must not approve a person becoming an Australian citizen unless satisfied of their identity, with no discretion available to grant citizenship in the absence of this satisfaction. The Tribunal was required to determine if the evidence presented met these statutory thresholds.

The Tribunal considered the evidence presented, including various documents and submissions from both parties. While the Tribunal was satisfied of the Applicant's identity, it was not satisfied that the Applicant was of good character. This conclusion was reached despite the Applicant's efforts to provide documentation and evidence, including a police certificate and a letter from a primary school. The Tribunal affirmed the delegate's decision to refuse the application for Australian citizenship by conferral.