NBAD v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT 1 In this matter the applicant is outside Australia. In those circumstances it is submitted that the pursuit of the application is futile and ought to be peremptorily dismissed for that reason. Counsel for the applicant submits that this course should not be taken as the applicant has hopes that there will be a way of returning to Australia in due course. 2 I have been provided with a copy of a decision of Driver FM in SZAOE v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs [2004] FMCA 100. It is submitted that I should follow the approach taken in that case by Driver FM who held that the application was moot. 3 I am not satisfied that I should take that course in this case. It is correct that ultimately a visa cannot be issued without the applicant being in Australia, but it seems to me that the mere fact that she is presently outside Australia does not mean that there is no possibility of her return for the purposes of the case. 4 It is put that if she does return she would then be able to make a new and separate application for protection, which would not be caught by the provisions of s 48A of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth). This may be correct but I am not certain that it is the case and we are, after all, looking at events some months ahead. 5 In all of the circumstances I was not prepared peremptorily to dismiss the proceeding as moot or futile. I certify that the preceding five (5) numbered paragraphs are a true copy of the Reasons for Judgment herein of the Honourable Justice Gyles.

Associate: Dated: 2 April 2004 Counsel for the Applicant: I G Archibald

Solicitor for the Respondent: D Watson of Australian Government Solicitor