Rasmini and Minister for Home Affairs (Citizenship)

The applicant, Rasmini, sought judicial review of a decision by the Minister for Home Affairs to refuse her application for Australian citizenship. The dispute concerned the Minister's assessment of Rasmini's character under s 24(1)(d) of the *Australian Citizenship Act 2007* (Cth), which requires an applicant to be of good character. The matter was heard by Deputy President S A Forgie of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

The Tribunal was required to determine whether the applicant possessed the requisite good character for Australian citizenship, notwithstanding certain past criminal convictions. Specifically, the Tribunal had to consider the weight to be given to the applicant's criminal history, her subsequent rehabilitation, and the overall circumstances of her life in Australia.

Deputy President Forgie reasoned that while the applicant's criminal convictions were serious, they did not automatically disqualify her from demonstrating good character. The Tribunal applied the principles established in cases such as *Re Drake* and *Re Aldridge*, which emphasise a holistic assessment of character, taking into account the nature of the offences, the time elapsed since their commission, and evidence of rehabilitation and positive contribution to society. The Tribunal found that the applicant had demonstrated significant rehabilitation and had established a life in Australia that was consistent with the values of good character.

The Tribunal set aside the decision under review and substituted a decision that the applicant meets the requirements of s 24(1)(d) of the *Australian Citizenship Act 2007*.