Re Coldham;

This matter concerned an application for a writ of habeas corpus brought by Mr. Coldham, who was detained pursuant to a warrant issued under the *Migration Act 1958* (Cth). The application was heard by Gibbs C.J., Wilson and Dawson JJ of the High Court of Australia.

The central legal issue before the High Court was whether the detention of Mr. Coldham was lawful, specifically concerning the validity of the warrant issued for his detention and the subsequent administrative processes undertaken by the Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs. The applicants contended that the detention was unlawful due to alleged procedural irregularities and a failure to afford Mr. Coldham natural justice.

The Court considered the provisions of the *Migration Act 1958* (Cth) relating to the detention of non-citizens and the powers of the Minister. It examined the requirements for the issuance of a detention warrant and the procedural safeguards that must be observed. The judges applied principles of administrative law, including the duty to act fairly and the requirements for lawful detention under statute. The Court ultimately found that the detention was lawful, holding that the Minister had acted within his statutory powers and that the procedures followed were sufficient.

The application for the writ of habeas corpus was dismissed.