Thorpe, An application by

This matter concerned an application by Mr. Thorpe for leave to appeal to the High Court of Australia against a decision of the Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia. The dispute arose from an application made by Mr. Thorpe under the *Freedom of Information Act 1982* (Cth) for access to documents held by the Australian Federal Police. The Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police had refused access to the documents, and this decision was affirmed by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. Mr. Thorpe then sought judicial review of the Tribunal's decision in the Federal Court.

The primary legal issue before Hayne J was whether the Federal Court had erred in law in its review of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal's decision. Specifically, the question was whether the Federal Court had correctly applied the principles of administrative law, particularly concerning the interpretation and application of the exemptions provided under the *Freedom of Information Act 1982* (Cth) to the documents sought by Mr. Thorpe.

Hayne J considered the grounds of appeal advanced by Mr. Thorpe, which focused on alleged errors of law by the Federal Court in its assessment of the Tribunal's findings. His Honour reviewed the relevant provisions of the *Freedom of Information Act 1982* (Cth) and the established case law concerning the scope of exemptions and the standard of review applicable to decisions of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. The application for leave to appeal was ultimately dismissed.