Zhu v Treasurer of State of NSW

The case of *Zhu v Treasurer of State of NSW* concerned a dispute between Mr. Zhu and the Treasurer of the State of New South Wales regarding the compulsory acquisition of Mr. Zhu's land. The matter came before the High Court of Australia, comprising Gleeson CJ, Callinan and Heydon JJ.

The central legal issue before the High Court was whether the Treasurer had acted lawfully in compulsorily acquiring Mr. Zhu's land under the *Public Works Act 1912* (NSW). Specifically, the court had to determine if the acquisition was for a public purpose as required by the Act, and if the Treasurer had properly considered the relevant factors and acted in good faith.

The High Court considered the scope of the power to compulsorily acquire land for public works and the principles of administrative law governing the exercise of such powers. The court examined the evidence presented to determine if the stated public purpose was genuine and not merely a pretext for the acquisition. The judges applied the established legal principles that administrative decisions must be made for the purpose authorised by the statute and that a decision made for an improper purpose or in bad faith is invalid.

The High Court ultimately found that the Treasurer had acted within the scope of the statutory power and that the acquisition was for a legitimate public purpose. Consequently, the court dismissed Mr. Zhu's challenge to the validity of the acquisition.