Ramoran and Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, and Multicultural Affairs (Citizenship)

The applicant, Ramoran, sought an extension of time to lodge an application for review of a decision by the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, and Multicultural Affairs to refuse his application for citizenship by conferral. The application for review was lodged approximately two years after the original decision was made. The matter came before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

The primary legal issue before the Tribunal was whether to grant the applicant an extension of time to lodge his application for review. This required the Tribunal to consider whether there was an adequate explanation for the significant delay in lodging the application and whether granting such an extension would cause prejudice to the respondent, the Minister.

The Tribunal considered the applicant's assertion that he did not receive the original decision at the time it was made. However, in all the circumstances, the Tribunal found that there was no adequate explanation for the extensive delay. Consequently, the Tribunal refused the application for an extension of time. The Tribunal advised the applicant that the appropriate course was to make a fresh application for citizenship and ensure that he met the requirements of the relevant Act.