SZBQW v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs

Case [2004] FCA 957


FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

SZBQW v Minister for Immigration & Multicultural & Indigenous Affairs [2004] FCA 957

NO ISSUE OF PRINCIPLE

SZBQW v MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION & MULTICULTURAL & INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS

N 466 of 2004

BRANSON J
18 MAY 2004
SYDNEY


IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY

N 466 of 2004

ON APPEAL FROM THE FEDERAL MAGISTRATES COURT OF AUSTRALIA

BETWEEN:

SZBQW
APPELLANT

AND:

MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION & MULTICULTURAL & INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS
RESPONDENT

JUDGE:

BRANSON J

DATE OF ORDER:

18 MAY 2004

WHERE MADE:

SYDNEY

THE COURT ORDERS THAT:

1.The notice of objection to competency be upheld.

2.The notice of appeal be dismissed as incompetent. 

3.The appellant pay the costs of the respondent.


IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY

N 466 of 2004

ON APPEAL FROM THE FEDERAL MAGISTRATES COURT OF AUSTRALIA

BETWEEN:

SZBQW
APPELLANT

AND:

MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION & MULTICULTURAL & INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS
RESPONDENT

JUDGE:

BRANSON J

DATE:

18 MAY 2004

PLACE:

SYDNEY

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT

  1. At the time when this matter was listed for hearing the appellant was absent.  He was also absent when the matter was called for hearing approximately ten minutes later.  In my view the hearing should proceed.

  2. I am satisfied that the notice of objection to competency in this matter should be upheld.  The judgment of Federal Magistrate Driver of 22 March 2004 was plainly interlocutory.  The appellant has not sought leave to appeal against that judgment.  On the last occasion he was granted leave to make an application for leave on the basis that were he to file that application within the time given to him it would be treated as having been made on the date of his notice of appeal.  However, that leave has not been exercised. 

  3. It was also indicated to him on the last occasion that the notice of objection to competency would be heard and determined today if he did not exercise the leave to seek leave to appeal against the order of Federal Magistrate Driver. 

  4. In the circumstances the notice of objection to competency is upheld and the notice of appeal dismissed as incompetent.  There will be an order that the purported appellant pay the costs of the respondent.

I certify that the preceding four (4) numbered paragraphs are a true copy of the Reasons for Judgment herein of the Honourable Justice Branson.

Associate:

Dated:            July 2004

Counsel for the Appellant: The Appellant did not appear
Counsel for the Respondent: T Reilly
Solicitor for the Respondent: Sparke Helmore
Date of Hearing: 18 May 2004
Date of Judgment: 18 May 2004
Details
AGLC
SZBQW v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs [2004] FCA 957
Case
[2004] FCA 957
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

In the matter of SZBQW versus the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs, the Federal Court was tasked with reviewing the procedural aspects of an appeal against a decision to object to competency. SZBQW, the appellant, challenged the decision of the Minister to object to her competency in lodging an appeal against a decision to cancel her visa. The dispute centred on the procedural fairness and correctness of the objection to competency and the subsequent dismissal of her appeal.

The primary legal issues before the court involved the interpretation and application of the Migration Act 1958, specifically in relation to the procedural requirements for lodging an appeal and the Minister's authority to object to competency. The court had to determine whether the Minister's objection was valid under the Act and if the appellant's appeal was properly before the court. The court also needed to consider whether the procedural fairness was observed in the handling of the appellant's appeal.

In delivering its judgment, the court found that the Minister's objection to competency was valid, as it was grounded in the provisions of the Act and supported by appropriate evidence. The court held that the appellant had failed to comply with the necessary procedural steps required to lodge a valid appeal, thereby rendering the appeal incompetent. Consequently, the notice of objection to competency was upheld, and the notice of appeal was dismissed. The court also ordered that the appellant pay the costs of the respondent, emphasising the importance of adhering to procedural requirements in such matters.

Orders

Orders of the court

1. The notice of objection to competency be upheld.

2. The notice of appeal be dismissed as incompetent.

3. The appellant pay the costs of the respondent.

Background

Background to the litigation

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Evidence

Evidence Before The Court

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Decision

Reasons for decision

BRANSON J

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Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

Established by: BRANSON J

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