Saeed v Minister for Immigration & Citizenship

[2010] HCA 23

Saeed
vMinister for Immigration & Citizenship

Court:
High Court of Australia

Judges: French CJ
Gummow J
Hayne J
Heydon J
Crennan J
Kiefel J

Legislative References:
Migration Act 1958 - Division 3 of Pt 2
Judiciary Act 1903 - s 39B
Migration Legislation Amendment (Procedural Fairness) Act 2002 - Section 51A

Hearing date:
Judgment date: 23 June 2010

Order

1. Appeal allowed with costs.

2. Set aside the order of the Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia made on 1 April 2009 and in its place order that:

(a)
Appeal allowed with costs.
(b)
Set aside Os 2 and 3 of the orders of the Federal Magistrates Court of Australia made on 2 December 2008 and in their place order that:

(i)
a writ of certiorari issue directed to the delegate of the respondent, quashing the decision dated 16 July 2008;
(ii)
a writ of prohibition issue directed to the respondent, prohibiting the respondent from giving effect to the delegate's decision dated 16 July 2008;
(iii)
a writ of mandamus issue to the respondent requiring the respondent to consider and determine the applicant's application for a Skilled -- Independent Visa (Subclass 175) according to law; and
(iv)
the respondent pay the applicant's costs.

Counsel for the appellant: S B Lloyd SC with L J Karp
Counsel for the respondent and intervening on behalf of the Attorney-General (Cth): S J Gageler SC, Solicitor-General (Cth ) with L A Clegg
Counsel for the intervening on behalf of the Attorney-General (WA): R J Meadows QC, Solicitor-General (WA ) with C L Conley
Counsel for the intervening on behalf of the Attorney-General (SA): M G Hinton QC, Solicitor-General (SA ) with C Jacobi

Solicitors for the appellant: Christopher Levingston & Associates
Solicitors for the respondent and intervening on behalf of the Attorney-General (Cth): Australian Government Solicitor
Solicitors for the intervening on behalf of the Attorney-General (WA): State Solicitor (WA )
Solicitors for the intervening on behalf of the Attorney-General (SA): Crown Solicitor (SA )

[1]
Migration Legislation Amendment (Procedural Fairness) Act 2002 (Cth).

[2]
Kioa v West (1985) 159 CLR 550 at 629 per Brennan J; see also 569 per Gibbs CJ, 582 per Mason J, 602 per Wilson J, 633 per Deane J; [1985] HCA 81.

[3]
Migration Act 1958 (Cth), s 40(1) and (2)(a); Migration Regulations 1994 (Cth), reg 2.04(1)(a) and Sch 2, item 175.412.

[4]
Migration Regulations, Sch 2, item 175.211(2)(a).

[5]
Migration Act, s 338(1) and (2).

[6]
Saeed v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship [2008] FMCA 1619 per Emmett FM.

[7]
Saeed v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship (2009) 176 FCR 53 per Spender, Buchanan and Logan JJ.

[8]
(2006) 151 FCR 214.

[9]
Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs v Lat (2006) 151 FCR 214 at 225-226 [66].

[10]
Migration Act, s 47(2)(b).

[11]
(1990) 170 CLR 596; [1990] HCA 57.

[12]
Annetts v McCann (1990) 170 CLR 596 at 598 per Mason CJ, Deane and McHugh JJ.

[13]
(1985) 159 CLR 550 at 609 (citation omitted).

[14]
Salemi v MacKellar (No 2 ) (1977) 137 CLR 396 at 401 per Barwick CJ, 451 per Jacobs J; [1977] HCA 26.

[15]
(1985) 159 CLR 550 at 609.

[16]
FAI Insurances Ltd v Winneke (1982) 151 CLR 342 at 409 per Brennan J; [1982] HCA 26.

[17]
Salemi v MacKellar (No 2 ) (1977) 137 CLR 396 at 401 per Barwick CJ.

[18]
(1990) 170 CLR 596 at 598.

[19]
(1958) 98 CLR 383 at 396 ; [1958] HCA 6.

[20]
Potter v Minahan (1908) 7 CLR 277 at 304 per O'Connor J; [1908] HCA 63.

[21]
(2004) 221 CLR 309 at 329 [21] ; [2004] HCA 40.

[22]
Electrolux Home Products Pty Ltd v Australian Workers' Union (2004) 221 CLR 309 at 329 [21], referring to R v Secretary of State for the Home Department ; Ex parte Pierson [1998] AC 539 at 587 and 589.

[23]
Electrolux Home Products Pty Ltd v Australian Workers' Union (2004) 221 CLR 309 at 329 [21].

[24]
Kioa v West (1985) 159 CLR 550 at 612 per Brennan J.

[25]
(1985) 159 CLR 550 at 629.

[26]
(2006) 228 CLR 152 at 162 [32] per Gleeson CJ, Kirby, Hayne, Callinan and Heydon JJ; [2006] HCA 63, referring to Commissioner for Australian Capital Territory Revenue v Alphaone Pty Ltd (1994) 49 FCR 576 at 590-591 per Northrop, Miles and French JJ.

[27]
(1985) 159 CLR 550 at 587; and see Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs v Teoh (1995) 183 CLR 273 at 311 per McHugh J; [1995] HCA 20; Re Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs ; Ex parte Lam (2003) 214 CLR 1 at 27 [81] per McHugh and Gummow JJ, 49 [150] per Callinan J; [2003] HCA 6.

[28]
In the balance of these reasons they will be referred to as "onshore visa applicants" and persons such as the appellant as "offshore visa applicants".

[29]
(2001) 206 CLR 57 at 86 [97] ; [2001] HCA 22.

[30]
(2001) 206 CLR 57 at 60 [1], 79 [71], 89 [110].

[31]
Gaudron, McHugh and Kirby JJ.

[32]
Re Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs ; Ex parte Miah (2001) 206 CLR 57 at 95 [131].

[33]
Re Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs ; Ex parte Miah (2001) 206 CLR 57 at 85 [95]-[96].

[34]
Re Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs ; Ex parte Miah (2001) 206 CLR 57 at 83-84 [90], referring to Re Refugee Review Tribunal ; Ex parte Aala (2000) 204 CLR 82 at 101 [41] per Gaudron and Gummow JJ; [2000] HCA 57.

[35]
Re Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs ; Ex parte Miah (2001) 206 CLR 57 at 85 [95] per Gaudron J, 94 [128] per McHugh J and 113 [181] per Kirby J.

[36]
Moradian v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (2004) 142 FCR 170 at 178 [28].

[37]
WAID v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs [2003] FCA 220 at [57].

[38]
(2005) 146 FCR 562 at 568 [22].

[39]
(2006) 151 FCR 214 at 225 [64].

[40]
Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs v Lat (2006) 151 FCR 214 at 225 [64], [66].

[41]
Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs v Lat (2006) 151 FCR 214 at 225 [65].

[42]
Saeed v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship (2009) 176 FCR 53 at 55 [1], 65 [46].

[43]
(2004) 142 FCR 170 at 180 [35].

[44]
Australia, House of Representatives, Migration Legislation Amendment (Procedural Fairness) Bill 2002, Explanatory Memorandum at 5 [6].

[45]
Australia, House of Representatives, Migration Legislation Amendment (Procedural Fairness) Bill 2002, Explanatory Memorandum at 2 [3].

[46]
Australia, House of Representatives, Migration Legislation Amendment (Procedural Fairness) Bill 2002, Explanatory Memorandum at 5 [10].

[47]
Australia, House of Representatives, Parliamentary Debates , (Hansard), 13 March 2002 at 1106-1107.

[48]
Australia, House of Representatives, Parliamentary Debates , (Hansard), 13 March 2002 at 1107.

[49]
(1996) 187 CLR 1 at 168-169 (emphasis added) (footnote omitted); [1996] HCA 40.

[50]
(1987) 162 CLR 514 ; [1987] HCA 12.

[51]
Re Bolton ; Ex Parte Beane (1987) 162 CLR 514 at 518.

[52]
See also Sovar v Henry Lane Pty Ltd (1967) 116 CLR 397 at 405 per Kitto J; [1967] HCA 31; Byrne v Australian Airlines Ltd (1995) 185 CLR 410 at 459 per McHugh and Gummow JJ; [1995] HCA 24; Purvis v New South Wales (2003) 217 CLR 92 at 122-123 [92] per McHugh and Kirby JJ; [2003] HCA 62; and Director of Public Prosecutions (Vic) v Le (2007) 232 CLR 562 at 573 [29] per Gummow and Hayne JJ; [2007] HCA 52.

[53]
(1989) 167 CLR 543 at 550 per Brennan and Gaudron JJ; [1989] HCA 43.

[54]
[2003] FCA 220 at [57]-[58].

[55]
(2003) 130 FCR 456 at 468 [58].

[56]
NAQF v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (2003) 130 FCR 456 at 468 [58] and 475 [83].

[57]
NAQF v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (2003) 130 FCR 456 at 475 [83].

[58]
[2003] FCA 220 at [58].

[59]
Commonwealth v Baume (1905) 2 CLR 405 at 414 per Griffith CJ; [1905] HCA 11; Chu Kheng Lim v Minister for Immigration (1992) 176 CLR 1 at 12-13 per Mason CJ; [1992] HCA 64; Project Blue Sky Inc v Australian Broadcasting Authority (1998) 194 CLR 355 at 382 [71] per McHugh, Gummow, Kirby and Hayne JJ; [1998] HCA 28.

[60]
NAQF v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (2003) 130 FCR 456 at 469 [59].

[61]
NAQF v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (2003) 130 FCR 456 at 469 [60].

[62]
Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs v Lat (2006) 151 FCR 214 at 225-226 [68].

[63]
Migration Act, s 66(2)(c) and (3).

[64]
Migration Act, s 48.

[65]
At [23].

[66]
Macdougall v Paterson (1851) 11 CB 755 at 766 per Jervis CJ [138 ER 672 at 677]; Leach v R (2007) 230 CLR 1 at 17-18 [38] per Gummow, Hayne, Heydon and Crennan JJ; [2007] HCA 3.

[67]
Migration Act, s 65; and see Re Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs ; Ex parte Applicants S134 / 2002 (2003) 211 CLR 441 at 467-468 [75] ; [2003] HCA 1.

[68]
(2003) 211 CLR 441 at 471 [85].

[69]
(1944) 69 CLR 407 at 430 and 432 ; [1944] HCA 42.

[70]
(1949) 78 CLR 353 at 360 ; [1949] HCA 26.

[71]
Avon Downs Pty Ltd v FCT (1949) 78 CLR 353 at 360.

[72]
R v Connell ; Ex parte Hetton Bellbird Collieries Ltd (1944) 69 CLR 407 at 430; Avon Downs Pty Ltd v FCT (1949) 78 CLR 353 at 360 per Dixon J; Buck v Bavone (1976) 135 CLR 110 at 118-119 per Gibbs J; [1976] HCA 24; Foster v Minister for Customs and Justice (2000) 200 CLR 442 at 447 [7]-[8] per Gleeson CJ and McHugh J; [2000] HCA 38; Re Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs ; Ex parte Applicants S134 / 2002 (2003) 211 CLR 441 at 471 [85].

[73]
(1994) 179 CLR 427 ; [1994] HCA 15.

[74]
Coco v R (1994) 179 CLR 427 at 437.

[75]
(1994) 179 CLR 427 at 437 (footnote omitted).

[76]
Kioa v West (1985) 159 CLR 550 at 569 per Gibbs CJ; [1985] HCA 81.

[77]
Migration Legislation Amendment (Procedural Fairness) Act 2002 (Cth).

[78]
NAQF v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (2003) 130 FCR 456.

[79]
VXDC v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (2005) 146 FCR 562.

[80]
(2003) 130 FCR 456 at 469 [62].

[81]
(2003) 130 FCR 456 at 469 [61].

[82]
(2003) 130 FCR 456 at 469 [62].

[83]
For the text of s 51A see [3] above.

[84]
(2003) 130 FCR 456 at 468 [58].

[85]
(2003) 130 FCR 456 at 470 [65].

[86]
(2003) 130 FCR 456 at 469-470 [63]-[64].

[87]
(2003) 130 FCR 456 at 470 [64].

[88]
(2003) 130 FCR 456 at 470 [64].

[89]
(2003) 130 FCR 456 at 470 [65].

[90]
(2001) 206 CLR 57 ; [2001] HCA 22.

[91]
(2001) 206 CLR 57 at 94 [128].

[92]
(2001) 206 CLR 57 at 113 [181] and [183].

[93]
Australia, House of Representatives, Migration Legislation Amendment (Procedural Fairness) Bill 2002, Explanatory Memorandum at 2 [1]. See also at 2 [4], 3 [7] and 5-10 (Sch 1).

[94]
Australia, House of Representatives, Parliamentary Debates (Hansard), 13 March 2002 at 1106-1107.

[95]
Australia, House of Representatives, Parliamentary Debates (Hansard), 13 March 2002 at 1107.

[96]
Re Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs ; Ex parte Miah (2001) 206 CLR 57 at 74 [49].

[97]
(2006) 151 FCR 214 at 225 [65].

[98]
(2003) 130 FCR 456 at 468-469 [59].

[99]
(2003) 130 FCR 456 at 469 [59].

[100]
(2003) 130 FCR 456 at 475 [83].

[101]
(2003) 130 FCR 456 at 469 [60].

[102]
Annetts v McCann (1990) 170 CLR 596 at 598 per Mason CJ, Deane and McHugh JJ; [1990] HCA 57. They cited Baba v Parole Board (NSW ) (1986) 5 NSWLR 338 at 344-345 and 347 and 349.

[103]
Plaintiff S157 / 2002 v Commonwealth (2003) 211 CLR 476 ; [2003] HCA 2.

[104]
Australia, House of Representatives, Parliamentary Debates (Hansard), 13 March 2002 at 1106.

[105]
That was argued in Re Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs ; Ex parte Applicant S134 / 2002 (2003) 211 CLR 441 at 447 ; [2003] HCA 1. The same argument was put in Plaintiff S157 / 2002 v Commonwealth (2003) 211 CLR 476: see at 479.

[106]
(2006) 151 FCR 214 at 225-226 [68].

[107]
For example, Plaintiff S157 / 2002 v Commonwealth (2003) 211 CLR 476. See also Residual Assco Group Ltd v Spalvins (2000) 202 CLR 629 at 644 [28] ; [2000] HCA 33.

[108]
Re Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs ; Ex parte Miah (2001) 206 CLR 57 at 93 [126] and 96 [139].

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