Singh and Minister for Immigration and Border Protection (Citizenship)

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal (the Tribunal) considered the application of Mr Singh, an Indian citizen, for Australian citizenship by conferral. Mr Singh had applied for citizenship in September 2016, but his application was refused by a delegate of the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection in June 2017, on the grounds that he did not satisfy the good character requirement under section 21(2) of the *Australian Citizenship Act 1948* (Cth). Mr Singh sought a review of this decision by the Tribunal.

The primary legal issue before the Tribunal was whether Mr Singh met the character requirement for Australian citizenship, given his criminal history. This involved assessing the nature and seriousness of his past offending, which included convictions for driving whilst disqualified, intentionally destroying property, and breaching an alcohol interlock condition between 2009 and 2015. The Tribunal also had to consider the evidence presented by Mr Singh regarding his rehabilitation and general good character since his last offence.

The Tribunal, presided over by R. Pintos-Lopez SM, reviewed the evidence, including witness statements and a psychological report, alongside the applicant's criminal record. The Tribunal noted that while Mr Singh had a history of offending, several witnesses testified to his positive changes in behaviour, his honesty in disclosing his past, and his contributions to the community. However, the Tribunal ultimately found that, on balance, Mr Singh did not meet the eligibility requirements for Australian citizenship under section 24(1A) of the Act.

Consequently, the Tribunal affirmed the delegate's decision to refuse Mr Singh's application for Australian citizenship.