© 2026 Zoe. All rights reserved.
Zoe is a legal information platform. Always consult the Federal Register of Legislation for authoritative text.
[2021] NSWCATAD 136
NCAT Administrative and Equal Opportunity
2021-02-15
Original judgment source is linked above.
What is this matter about?
PQX's background, her family members and her established disabilities
PQX's Power of attorney
The Guardianship Division's findings and orders
The Public Guardian's decisions under review in these proceedings
My decisions
Uncontested facts
The relevant statutory provisions and possible outcomes
The jurisdiction of the Tribunal
Standing
Tribunal's role in conducting a review
Possible outcomes
The evidence and submissions
The "Guiding Principle"
The correct and preferable decision and the section 4 principles
Conclusion: the real issues here
The Public Guardian's case as to the accommodation decision
The PG 's Reasons
Consideration of welfare and interests and the Psychiatrist's report
Oral submissions
The Public Guardian's case as to the Access Decision
The PG's Access Reasons
Oral submissions
The documentary material presented by DYH
Applicants' case as to the accommodation decision.
Applicants' case as to the access decision
Case law tendered by Applicants
Relevant authorities on the section 4 Principles and their application
Paragraph (a): " paramount consideration"
Consideration of the parties' cases as to accommodation
Incorrect application of the section 4 principles by the Applicants
Family relationships and cultural and linguistic environment,
Protection from neglect, abuse, exploitation
The Public Guardian's case on accommodation
Conclusion as to the accommodation decision
Consideration of the Applicants' case on access
(1) DYH's lack of criminal record; no evidence of estrangement conflict or animosity
(2) The proposed access arrangement is harmful and damaging to DYH's well-being and an abuse of the human rights
(3) The evidence produced by Mr Hosking of the Public Guardian "has no substance"
(4) The Public Guardian was biased in making its decision and was directed by PYY and LYZ
(5) The Public Guardian's reliance on the section 4 principles is not borne out by the facts.
Did the Public Guardian's access decision satisfy the Section 4 principles?
Conclusion as to the access decision
Order
63 Determination of administrative review by Tribunal (1) In determining an application for an administrative review under this Act of an administratively reviewable decision, the Tribunal is to decide what the correct and preferable decision is having regard to the material then before it, including the following: (a) any relevant factual material, (b) any applicable written or unwritten law. (2) For this purpose, the Tribunal may exercise all of the functions that are conferred or imposed by any relevant legislation on the administrator who made the decision. (3) In determining an application for the administrative review of an administratively reviewable decision, the Tribunal may decide: (a) to affirm the administratively reviewable decision, or (b) to vary the administratively reviewable decision, or (c) to set aside the administratively reviewable decision and make a decision in substitution for the administratively reviewable decision it set aside, or (d) to set aside the administratively reviewable decision and remit the matter for reconsideration by the administrator in accordance with any directions or recommendations of the Tribunal.
65 Power to remit matters to administrator for further consideration (1) At any stage of proceedings to determine an application for an administrative review under this Act of an administratively reviewable decision, the Tribunal may remit the decision to the administrator who made it for reconsideration of the decision by the administrator. (2) …
CIVIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL ACT, No 2, 2013 (NSW)
36 Guiding principle to be applied to practice and procedure (1) The "guiding principle" for this Act and the procedural rules, in their application to proceedings in the Tribunal, is to facilitate the just, quick and cheap resolution of the real issues in the proceedings. (2) The Tribunal must seek to give effect to the guiding principle when it: (a) exercises any power given to it by this Act or the procedural rules, or (b) interprets any provision of this Act or the procedural rules. (3) Each of the following persons is under a duty to co-operate with the Tribunal to give effect to the guiding principle and, for that purpose, to participate in the processes of the Tribunal and to comply with directions and orders of the Tribunal: (a) a party to proceedings in the Tribunal, (b) an Australian legal practitioner or other person who is representing a party in proceedings in the Tribunal. (4) …
4 General principles It is the duty of everyone exercising functions under this Act with respect to persons who have disabilities to observe the following principles: (a) the welfare and interests of such persons should be given paramount consideration, (b) the freedom of decision and freedom of action of such persons should be restricted as little as possible, (c) such persons should be encouraged, as far as possible, to live a normal life in the community, (d) the views of such persons in relation to the exercise of those functions should be taken into consideration, (e) the importance of preserving the family relationships and the cultural and linguistic environments of such persons should be recognised, (f) such persons should be encouraged, as far as possible, to be self-reliant in matters relating to their personal, domestic and financial affairs, (g) such persons should be protected from neglect, abuse and exploitation, (h) the community should be encouraged to apply and promote these principles.
80A Administrative review by Civil and Administrative Tribunal of guardianship decisions of Public Guardian (1) An application may be made to the Civil and Administrative Tribunal for an administrative review under the Administrative Decisions Review Act 1997 of a decision of the Public Guardian that: (a) is made in connection with the exercise of the Public Guardian's functions under this Act as a guardian, and (b) is of a class of decision prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this section. (2) An application under this section may be made by: (a) the person to whom the decision relates, or (b) the spouse of the person, or (c) the person who has the care of the person to whom the decision relates, or (d) any other person whose interests are, in the opinion of the Civil and Administrative Tribunal, adversely affected by the decision.
17 Administrative review by Tribunal of guardianship decisions of Public Guardian For the purposes of section 80A (1) (b) of the Act, all decisions made by the Public Guardian in connection with the exercise of the Public Guardian's functions under the Act as a guardian are prescribed.
36 Interested persons may apply for review (1) Tribunal may review making or operation and effect of power A review tribunal may, on the application of an interested person, decide to review the making, revocation or the operation and effect of a reviewable power of attorney or not to carry out such a review. (2) As a consequence of reviewing the making, revocation or operation and effect of a reviewable power of attorney, a review tribunal may decide whether or not to make an order under this section. (3) …
(4) Orders relating to operation and effect of power A review tribunal may, if satisfied that it would be in the best interests of the principal to do so or that it would better reflect the wishes of the principal, make any one or more of the following orders relating to the operation and effect of a power of attorney: (a) an order varying a term of, or a power conferred by, the power of attorney, (b) an order removing a person from office as an attorney, (c) an order appointing a substitute attorney to replace an attorney who has been removed from office by a review tribunal or who otherwise vacates the office, (d) an order reinstating a power of attorney that has lapsed by reason of any vacancy in the office of an attorney and appointing a substitute attorney to replace the attorney who vacated office, (e) an order directing or requiring any one or more of the following: (i) that an attorney furnish accounts and other information to the tribunal or to a person nominated by the tribunal, (ii) that an attorney lodge with the tribunal a copy of all records and accounts kept by the attorney of dealings and transactions made by the attorney under the power, (iii) that those records and accounts be audited by an auditor appointed by the tribunal and that a copy of the report of the auditor be furnished to the tribunal, (iv) that the attorney submit a plan of financial management to the tribunal for approval, (f) an order revoking all or part of the power of attorney, (g) such other orders as the review tribunal thinks fit. I hereby certify that this is a true and accurate record of the reasons for decision of the Civil and Administrative Tribunal of New South Wales. Registrar DISCLAIMER - Every effort has been made to comply with suppression orders or statutory provisions prohibiting publication that may apply to this judgment or decision. The onus remains on any person using material in the judgment or decision to ensure that the intended use of that material does not breach any such order or provision. Further enquiries may be directed to the Registry of the Court or Tribunal in which it was generated. Decision last updated: 24 May 2021
DYH
Public Guardian