[2020] AATA 88
General information, not legal advice.
Administrative Appeals Tribunal of Australia
2020-01-30
Original judgment source is linked above.
6 November 2019 (R1, G4) not to revoke the mandatory cancellation of the Applicant's Class TY Subclass 444 Special Category (temporary) visa (the Applicant's visa) under
s 501CA(4) of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) (the Act). 2. The Applicant's visa had been cancelled pursuant to s 501(3A) of the Act because the Applicant does not pass the character test by reason of her (the Applicant is transgender and identifies as female - R1, G3 at 8) substantial criminal record and because she was serving a full-time term of imprisonment for an offence against a law of a State. 3. The application for review is made in accordance with s 500(1)(ba) of the Act, which allows applications to be made to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for review of decisions of a delegate of the Minister under s 501CA(4) of the Act not to revoke a decision to cancel a visa. The Tribunal is satisfied that the application has been made in accordance with the relevant legislation and that the Tribunal has the jurisdiction to review the decision.
Never licenced person drive vehicle on road - 1st offence
7 November 2019 (R1, G2). 4. The Applicant sought review under s 500(1)(ba) of the Act on 14 November 2019
Ms E Carlean instructed by HIV/AIDS Legal Centre and the Respondent was represented by Mr A Gerrard of the Australian Government Solicitor. 2. The following witnesses gave evidence at the hearing: * (a) The Applicant * (b) Dr Olga Patricia Martinez * (c) Aaron John Cogle * (d) Jules Kim * (e) Ms C * (f) Charles Kevin Treadway * (g) Ms S 3. The following documents were before the Tribunal: * (a) Applicant's Statement of Facts, Issues and Contentions dated 16 December 2019 (Applicant's SFIC) (Exhibit A1); * (b) Applicant's Submission in reply dated 13 January 2020 (Exhibit A2); * (c) Applicant's Statutory Declaration dated 2 June 2019 (Exhibit A3); * (d) Medical report of Dr Patricia Martinez, including professional resume, dated
10 January 2020 (Exhibit A4); * (e) Letter from Mr Parwani to Dr Martinez requesting Medical Report dated
2 December 2019 (Exhibit A5); * (f) Department of Corrective Services Management and Placement - Sentenced, approved 22 March 2018 (Exhibit A6); * (g) Department of Justice Corrective Services Incident Summary Report with run date 9 December 2019 (Exhibit A7); * (h) Expert Consensus Statement on the Science of HIV in the Context of Criminal Law, Journal of the International Aids Society accepted 21 January 2020
(Exhibit A8); * (i) Letter of Support of Mr Charles Tredway dated 14 January 2020 (Exhibit A9); * (j) G Documents and Supplementary Relevant documents (Exhibit R1); * (k) Respondents Statement of Facts, Issues and Contentions dated 6 January 2020 (Respondent's SFIC) (Exhibit R2); and * (l) Extract from District Court Transcript for 19 January 2018 (Exhibit R3). 4. Prior to the hearing the Respondent consented to the admission of the witness statements and letters provided by Lena Van Hale (R1, G22), Ryan Oliver (R1, G27), Diane Lloyd (R1, G26) and Ms T (R1, G23) (all of which were included in the G documents - R1) without the need for the makers of those statements and letters to be called. The Tribunal thanks the Respondent for this concession which enabled the hearing of the evidence to be completed on 21 January 2020. Written closing submissions were provided by both parties on 23 January 2020.
(3A) The Minister must cancel a visa that has been granted to a person if:
(a) the Minister is satisfied that the person does not pass the character test because of the operation of: (i) paragraph (6)(a) (substantial criminal record), on the basis of paragraph (7)(a), (b) or (c); or
(b) the person is serving a sentence of imprisonment, on a full-time basis in a custodial institution, for an offence against a law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory.
(7) For the purposes of the character test, a person has a substantial criminal record if:
(c) the person has been sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 12 months or more; or
(d) the person has been sentenced to 2 or more terms of imprisonment, where the total of those terms is 12 months or more; or...
...
(4) The Minister may revoke the original decision if:
(a) the person makes representations in accordance with the invitation; and
(i) that the person passes the character test (as defined by section 501); or
(ii) that there is another reason why the original decision should be revoked.
(1) The Minister may give written directions to a person or body having functions or powers under this Act ... if the directions are about:
[a] person or body must comply with a direction under subsection (1).
s 501CA" (Direction 79). The commencement date for operation of Direction 79 was
28 February 2019 (Paragraph 2 of Section 1 of Direction 79). 2. Paragraph 6.1 sets out the objectives of Direction 79. Paragraph 6.1(3) relevantly provides:
Under subsection 501(3A) of the Act, the decision-maker must cancel a visa that has been granted to a person if the decision-maker is satisfied that the person does not pass the character test because of the operation of paragraph (6)(a) (on the basis of paragraph (7)(a), (b) or (c) or paragraph (6)(e)) and the non-citizen is serving a sentence of imprisonment on a full-time basis in a custodial institution, for an offence against a law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory. A non-citizen who has had his or her visa cancelled under section 501(3A) may request revocation of that decision under section 501CA of the Act. Where the discretion to consider revocation is enlivened, the decision-maker must consider whether to revoke the cancellation given the specific circumstances of the case.
(1) The Government is committed to protecting the Australian community from harm as a result of criminal activity or other serious conduct by non-citizens. The principles below are of critical importance in furthering that objective, and reflect community values and standards with respect to determining whether the risk of future harm from a non-citizen is unacceptable.
(2) In order to effectively protect the Australian community from harm, and to maintain integrity and public confidence in the character assessment process, decisions about whether a non-citizen's visa should be refused or cancelled under section 501 should be made in a timely manner once a decision-maker is satisfied that a non-citizen does not pass the character test. Timely decisions are also beneficial to the client in providing certainty about their future.
(3) The principles provide a framework within which decision-makers should approach their task of deciding whether to refuse or cancel a non-citizen's visa under section 501, or whether to revoke a mandatory cancellation under section 501CA. The relevant factors that must be considered in making a decision under section 501 of the Act are identified in Part A and Part B, while factors that must be considered in making a revocation decision are identified in Part C of this Direction.
(1) Australia has a sovereign right to determine whether non-citizens who are of character concern are allowed to enter and/or remain in Australia. Being able to come to or remain in Australia is a privilege Australia confers on non-citizens in the expectation that they are, and have been, law-abiding, will respect important institutions, such as Australia's law enforcement framework, and will not cause or threaten harm to individuals or the Australian community.
(2) The Australian community expects that the Australian Government can and should refuse entry to non-citizens, or cancel their visas, if they commit serious crimes in Australia or elsewhere.
(3) A non-citizen who has committed a serious crime, including of a violent or sexual nature, and particularly against women or children or vulnerable members of the community such as the elderly or disabled, should generally expect to be denied the privilege of coming to, or to forfeit the privilege of staying in, Australia.
(4) In some circumstances, criminal offending or other conduct, and the harm that would be caused if it were to be repeated, may be so serious, that any risk of similar conduct in the future is unacceptable. In these circumstances, even other strong countervailing considerations may be insufficient to justify not cancelling or refusing the visa.
(5) Australia has a low tolerance of any criminal or other serious conduct by people who have been participating in, and contributing to, the Australian community only for a short period of time. However, Australia may afford a higher level of tolerance of criminal or other serious conduct in relation to a non-citizen who has lived in the Australian community for most of their life, or from a very young age.
(6) Australia has a low tolerance of any criminal or other serious conduct by visa applicants or those holding a limited stay visa, reflecting that there should be no expectation that such people should be allowed to come to, or remain permanently in, Australia.
(7) The length of time a non-citizen has been making a positive contribution to the Australian community, and the consequences of a visa refusal or cancellation for minor children and other immediate family members in Australia, are considerations in the context of determining whether that non-citizen's visa should be cancelled, or their visa application refused.
In deciding whether to revoke the mandatory cancellation of a non-citizen's visa, the following are primary considerations:
b) The best interests of minor children in Australia;
(1) Decision-makers must take into account the primary and other considerations relevant to the individual case. There are differing considerations depending on whether a delegate is considering whether to refuse to grant a visa to a visa applicant, cancel the visa of a visa holder, or revoke the mandatory cancellation of a visa. These different considerations are articulated in Parts A, B and C. Separating the considerations for visa holders and visa applicants recognises that non-citizens holding a substantive visa will generally have an expectation that they will be permitted to remain in Australia for the duration of that visa, whereas a visa applicant should have no expectation that a visa application will be approved.
(2) In applying the considerations (both primary and other), information and evidence from independent and authoritative sources should be given appropriate weight.
(3) Both primary and other considerations may weigh in favour of, or against, refusal, cancellation of the visa, or whether or not to revoke a mandatory cancellation of a visa.
(4) Primary considerations should generally be given greater weight than the other considerations.
(5) One or more primary considerations may outweigh other primary considerations.
February 2016. While she was on bail before the trial she was subject to conditions which included urine drug testing. She complied with all of the conditions of bail and passed all drug tests. She is free from illicit drugs, realises the negative impact that they had on her life, and is committed to permanently removing herself from their impact. * (l) While she was incarcerated she did not have access to any drug and alcohol courses but has made enquiries about programs that would be available to her on release including through Holyoake. * (m) Australia is where her chosen family is. Her biological family in New Zealand lacked security, love and understanding. * (n) She has managed to forge strong relationships with people in Australia and they provide support to her. She has bonded closely with Ms C's son to whom she provided guidance when he was being bullied at school. * (o) Since her arrest, she has been involved in Magenta, NAPWHA and
Scarlet Alliance. They have provided support and given her a new direction in life. She has worked with them to educate minorities across all the relevant intersections. Prior to her incarceration she was involved as a peer support officer. * (p) She has been offered board positions on the three above identified organisations. * (q) She has fears for her mental health if she is returned to New Zealand. Her step-father was a violent alcoholic and when she moved into a cousin's home because of the violence in her own home, she was sexually abused by her uncle. * (r) Although she told her mother and step-father about the abuse by the uncle, they refused to do anything and still socialise with the uncle. * (s) Since she came to Australia she has 'abandoned' her family in New Zealand and since then has made, and maintained, strong relationships with people in Australia whom she now considers to be her family. * (t) When she sought hormone treatment in New Zealand in her teens she found it hard to engage professionals. She understands that people living in
New Zealand with HIV have experienced significant discrimination by health care workers.
(February 2019) showed a viral load of less than 40 copies/ml and an excellent immunological response; * Provided she maintains the current level of good health and supressed viral load she "should not pose an increased risk to the Australian community" (R1, G17/140) * At that time there was no reason to believe that she would not adhere to her therapy and seemed committed to maintaining good health. * Support from family, friends and community services are an integral part of management of people living with HIV. Over the period of her treatment a good rapport has developed. * Even if similar services were available in New Zealand it would take some time for the rapport and confidence to develop with a potential detrimental effect on her physical and mental health. 4. The second report repeated much of the first report and advised that the last clinical review (10 October 2019) indicated that she was well, without symptoms and that her most recent blood test (2 October 2019) showed a viral load of less than 40 copies/ml and a normal CD4 count of 29%. Dr Martinez stated that over the past three and a half years the Applicant had been taking her medications as prescribed and that there was no reason to believe that she would not continue to do so. She also opined that the Applicant has shown a desire to remain healthy and is aware of her public health responsibilities with regard to taking the necessary precautions to avoid transmitting HIV infection.
New Zealand, it is not as good as that available in Australia. In particular, his medication in New Zealand consisted of five pills a day while the usual medication in Australia, like that taken by the Applicant, is a single daily pill. He says that the only one-pill-a-day treatment available in New Zealand listed under that country's PHARMAC scheme is Atripla which has been globally disregarded as a viable front-line therapy choice due to a raft of associated health conditions. 2. Mr Treadway also stated in his letter that, although the treatment available to and the attitude of the community towards those with HIV in New Zealand have improved over recent years, they still remain behind Australia. He also gave similar evidence at the hearing (Transcript at 116). He was the chair of Body Positive NZ, which, at the hearing (Transcript at 111), he explained is the peak body in New Zealand for people living with HIV.
Chief Executive Officer of Scarlet Alliance, which describes itself as the Australian Sex Workers Association. She stated at the hearing (Transcript at 97) that the letter was provided at the time of the Applicant's sentencing and raises concerns that Scarlet Alliance had of a lengthy custodial sentence. Accordingly, much of the contents of the letter is not relevant to these proceedings.
10 year old boy. She said that she has known the Applicant for four years and that while she had been undergoing treatment for breast cancer, which included a mastectomy and removal of lymph nodes, the Applicant became her carer. This was in the period when the Applicant was on bail. 2. Ms C also advised in her letter that during that time the Applicant brought to her attention that there was 'something different' about her 10 year old child's behaviour. With her consent the Applicant spoke to the child who revealed to the Applicant that he was being bullied at school. Ms C said that the Applicant was able to give good advice to the child because she too had been bullied at school. She said that the Applicant has become even more important to her family and the connection with her 10 year old boy 'is unbreakable'. She says that the Applicant is 'a great friend that [she has] come to rely on and trust' and 'will always have a home here with us'. 3. Ms C gave evidence at the hearing to the same effect as above.
s 501CA(4)(b)(i) of the Act for the mandatory cancellation of his visa to be revoked. The issue therefore is whether the discretion under s 501CA(4)(b)(ii) should be exercised. In other words, is there another reason why the original decision should be revoked?
First primary consideration: Protection of the Australian community from criminal or other serious conduct (Direction 79 para. 13(2)(a))
(1) ...should have regard to the principle that the Government is committed to protecting the Australian community from harm as a result of criminal activity or other serious conduct by non-citizens. Remaining in Australia is a privilege that Australia confers on noncitizens in the expectation that they are, and have been, law abiding, will respect important institutions, and will not cause or threaten harm to individuals or the Australian community. Mandatory cancellation without notice of certain non-citizen prisoners is consistent with this principle by ensuring that serious offenders remain in either criminal or immigration detention while their immigration status is resolved.
(2) Decision-makers should also give consideration to:
a. The nature and seriousness of the non-citizen's conduct to date; and
b. The risk to the Australian community should the non-citizen commit further offences or engage in other serious conduct.
Nature and seriousness of the conduct (paragraph 13.1(2)(a))
1) In considering the nature and seriousness of the non-citizen's criminal offending or other conduct to date, decision-makers must have regard to factors including:
b. The principle that crimes of a violent nature against women or children are viewed very seriously, regardless of the sentence imposed;
c. The principle that crimes committed against vulnerable members of the community (such as the elderly and the disabled), or government representatives or officials due to the position they hold, or in the performance of their duties, are serious;
d. Subject to subparagraph (b) above, the sentence imposed by the courts for a crime or crimes;
e. The frequency of the non-citizen's offending and whether there is any trend of increasing seriousness;
g. Whether the non-citizen has provided false or misleading information to the department, including by not disclosing prior criminal offending;
h. Whether the non-citizen has re-offended since being formally warned, or since otherwise being made aware, in writing, about the consequences of further offending in terms of the non-citizen's migration status (noting that the absence of a warning should not be considered to be in the non-citizen's favour);
New South Wales on drug possession and traffic offences (R1, G6/21). These offences are, as were the offence in New Zealand, on any characterisation, minor. Obviously the offending which is primarily relevant in the present case is that which gave rise to the Applicant's conviction in the District Court of Western Australia on 19 January 2018. The Applicant was convicted, after a 5-day trial before Stevenson DCJ and a jury, of doing grievous bodily harm to another, contrary to s 297(1) of the Criminal Code Act Compilation Act 1913 (WA) (R1, G8). 2. On 16 February 2018 Stevenson DCJ imposed a sentence of 6 years' imprisonment with eligibility for parole backdated to commence on 1 April 2017 (R1, G8/39). The Applicant appealed the sentence. The Court of Appeal (Palmer v The State of Western Australia [2018] WASCA 22) (R1, G9) (Palmer Appeal) reduced the 6 year sentence to 4 years. 3. The circumstances which gave rise to that charge were set out in Stevenson DCJ's sentencing remarks (R1, G8 and R3) and were conveniently summarised in the Court of Appeal's judgment at [21]-[26] (R1, G9/48-50) as follows (footnotes omitted);
21. On 19 January 2018, following the verdict of the jury, the trial judge made detailed factual findings with respect to the commission of the offence. On
16 February 2018, his Honour summarised those findings. The salient facts are as follows.
22. For some time prior to the commission of the offence, the appellant was a transgender sex worker. She was also using methylamphetamine intravenously. On two occasions in August 2014, she provided blood samples for analysis to a nurse, Ms Morgan. A blood sample obtained by Ms Morgan on 27 August 2014 tested positive to HIV. On 3 September 2014, Ms Morgan informed the appellant that she had tested positive to HIV. Despite this diagnosis, the appellant continued to conduct her sex work, which included engaging in unprotected anal sex.
68. His Honour's characterisation of the appellant's criminality as being 'at the upper end of the range of seriousness' is an evaluative judgment on his Honour's part. It is a characterisation which explains why his Honour imposed the sentence he did. However, whether the sentence is manifestly excessive is to be determined by reference to the factors we referred to in [51] of these reasons. We will not repeat what we have already written about the facts and circumstances of the offence. Nor will we repeat the aggravating and mitigating circumstances identified by his Honour. Despite the fact that advances in medicine mean that, provided the victim maintains a regime of daily medication, he will live a normal life, the fact remains that he has been infected with a lifelong and potentially deadly virus. The appellant deliberately deceived the victim, claiming that she was free from sexually transmitted diseases. As a result of that deceit, the victim engaged in unprotected anal sex.
71. There were substantial mitigating factors. Two such factors stand out. First, it is uncontested that the appellant will serve the custodial portion of her sentence in a male prison, under protection, and will experience hardship beyond that experienced by mainstream prisoners. The second factor is that, by reasons of the steps taken by the appellant, the need to provide personal deterrence and public protection has been reduced.
Australian Federation of AIDS Association summary of HIV as it stands today (Applicant's SFIC para. 47) which included the following:
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus and is a virus that attacks the body's natural defence against disease known as our 'immune system'. Today, thanks to HIV medication (known as treatments) living with HIV is vastly different to what it meant to a person's ongoing health and life expectancy when the epidemic first began.
In Australia, it is estimated that there were 27, 545 people living with HIV in 2017, and globally there are around 36.7 million. Today, a HIV positive person who is on effective treatment can live as long and as healthy a life as a person who does not have HIV.
...Despite the fact that advances in medicine mean that, provided the victim maintains a regime of daily medication, he will live a normal life, the fact remains that he has been infected with a lifelong and potentially deadly virus.
43. ....her transmission of HIV to the victim was likely caused by sexual intercourse, it is contended that the nature of the offence was not inherently sexual or violent in nature, nor was the offence committed against women or children, other vulnerable members of the community or government officials or officials performing their duties.
44. Further, it must be noted that there was no frequency to the applicant's offending in this manner, nor was there any increasing trend of seriousness or any cumulative effect of her offending. Additionally, this was not an offence committed after a prior warning from the Department and it was not committed in the context of her being in, escaping from or being brought back in to immigration detention.
"the word 'inflicts' should not be given a limited and technical meaning which requires that the harm result from a violent act which creates an immediate result. That being so, the transmission of a disease which manifests itself after a period of time can amount to the infliction of grievous bodily harm
Any person who unlawfully does grievous bodily harm to another is guilty of a crime, and is liable to imprisonment for 10 years.
New South Wales legislation refers to someone who 'inflicts' grievous bodily harm, the Tribunal accepts that the reasoning in Aubrey is relevant to the present case. The court in Aubrey was not considering the specific issue of whether inflicting grievous bodily harm by the transmission of an infectious disease was inherently, or by its nature, a violent crime, however, various passages in the judgment of the majority indicate that grievous bodily harm can be inflicted or done in a non-violent way. In discussing 'the course of authority', which the court identifies at [10] as starting with R v Clarence (1888) 22 QBD 23, the Court observed at [24] that:
...Viewed in hindsight, a deal of the majority's reasoning in Clarence presents as based on a necessarily more rudimentary understanding of infectious diseases, a consequent fear of the unpredictability of what might be the consequence of recognising the spread of infectious disease as the infliction of serious bodily harm and, ultimately, what now appears as an unwarranted concern that it may prove impossible to define the demarcation between culpable and non-culpable non-violent acts that transmit infectious diseases.
(emphasis added)
The risk to the Australian community should the non-citizen commit further offences or engage in other serious conduct (13.1(2)(b))
(1) In considering the risk to the Australian community, decision-makers must have regard to, cumulatively:
a. The nature of the harm to individuals or the Australian community should the non-citizen engage in further criminal or other serious conduct; and
56.... the Tribunal is required to assess whether the Applicant poses an unacceptable risk of harm to individuals, groups or institutions in the Australian community. In order to make this assessment, the Tribunal is assisted by the following passage from Nigro v Secretary to the Department of Justice [2013] VSCA 213; (2013) 41 VR 359, [111]; [2013] VSCA 213 (which was cited with approval by Mortimer J in Tanielu v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection [2014] FCA 673; (2014) 225 FCR 424 at [95], as well as Gilmour J in WAD 230/2014 v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection (No 2) [2015] FCA 705 at [42]- [43]):
An unacceptable risk thus requires consideration of the likelihood of offending and, if it eventuates, what the consequences of such offending are likely to be. Whether a risk is unacceptable will depend not only upon the likelihood of it becoming reality but also on the seriousness of the consequences if it does.
"...there is no statutory constraint on the way that the Minister assesses risk, save that whatever he or she takes into account must be logical and rational." Additionally, in Hambledon v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection [2018] FCA 7, Kenny J at [41] also referred to the basis for the assessment of the risk of reoffending as requiring "... a rational and probative basis".
Nature of harm to individuals or the Australian community (13.1.2(1)(a))
3 June 2019 (R1, G19), Mr Aaron Cogle, Executive Director of the National Association of People With HIV Australia (NAPWHA), said:
In NAPWHA's experience the stigmatization associated with an HIV diagnosis can cause many people to react badly. Self-stigma is the experience of feeling low self-esteem, shame and guilt that people can experience in relation to their own diagnosis or HIV positive status. Complex mental processes mean that while a person may have been given an HIV positive diagnosis, fully understanding and accepting that information can take time.
While I believe that the stigma and discrimination due to HIV infection has decreased to some extent in the general population, the effect of these, whether real or perceived, on an individual can be significant in relation to their mental health.
I already felt that I was judged because I was a transgender woman and a sex worker and did not want a third stigma.
[the Applicant] has been reviewed in the infection and Immunity Clinic at FSH [Fiona Stanley Hospital] _regularly (every 4 months), with the last clinic review having taken place on 10 October 2019. Sher has been 100% adherent to her medication at all times. She attained an undetectable viral load ( >
_At the last clinic review (10/10/19), she was well, without any symptoms at all. The most recent blood test on 02/10/19 showed viral load >
As indicated previously, for the past 3½ years she has been taking her medication as prescribed and I do not have any reason to believe that she will not continue to do so. So far she has shown a desire to remain healthy and is aware of what this entails, with regard to HIV infection. Furthermore, in my opinion, she is aware of her public health responsibilities with regard to taking the necessary precautions to avoid transmitting HIV infection to anyone else.In view of the above, I would expect her to have an excellent short and long term prognosis. Furthermore, provided she maintains the current level of good health and suppressed viral load, she should not pose an increased risk to the Australian community.
Dr Nolan described the rectal mucosa as being 'a much weaker barrier to viral infection'. A condom is a 'very effective' means of preventing HIV transmission. 5. Dr Nolan testified that, in the case of anal sex, receptive anal intercourse has a greater likelihood of transmission. Nevertheless, the risk of transmission is still high for insertive and receptive anal intercourse. Dr Nolan, as a 'ballpark figure', estimated that the rate of HIV transmission in the case of both insertive or receptive unprotected anal sex is in the order of one in a thousand per sexual act. There are factors which can affect this estimate. 6. As at 17 January 2018, when Dr Nolan testified at trial, both the appellant and the victim had viral loads of less than 40 copies per millilitre of blood. This result was considered to be a 'undetectable viral load', which means that the risk of transmission from them is as close to zero as condom use. 3. In his letter dated 20 June 2019 (R1, G18/142), Mr Cogle of NAPWHA also states that:
Further, the risk of HIV transmission via sexual contact in the presence of an undetectable viral load is effectively zero.
The likelihood of the non-citizen engaging in further criminal or other serious conduct - risk of re-offending (13.1.2(1)(b))
... this is an issue that I have not addressed and she has not expressed any insights in her previous drug use. I am not sure whether she has completed any specific programs. Nevertheless, I have not had any concerns during the time I have been involved in her case that she would relapse into drug use.
Mr Gerrard: But can I ask you as a general comment, would it be of concern to you if the applicant was to commence using methamphetamine in terms of what that would mean in relation to adherence to her antiretroviral medication?
Dr Martinez: It would be of - it would be of concern if there was evidence that the use of the methamphetamine led to her not being adherent to her antiretroviral medication. I don't know that that would necessarily be the case. I think it's quite possible that if she were to use the methamphetamines from the point of view of the continuing to take the antiretroviral medication it is quite possible and quite likely I would think that she would continue to take her medications.
Of course there would be of concern from the point of view of what other effect the methamphetamines may have on her general health but not necessarily be in relation to whether she would continue to adhere to the antiretroviral medications or not.
Mr Gerrard: Well, you were convicted once?
Applicant: Yes, I was convicted once.
Mr Gerrard: But you were engaged in unlawful drug use during this period?
Applicant: Yes.
Mr Gerrard: Have you undertaken any formal rehabilitation?
Applicant: Not as such, as it hasn't been available to me while I've been incarcerated and also, while I'm at the detention centre. But I have looked at into a rehabilitation centre, after I leave the detention centre if my visa wasn't revoked. It's Holyoake in Victoria Park. But I have spoken to my counsellors about my addiction and my need for it to numb the pain and the trauma from what happened to me when I was a child. I understand now that my drug addiction came from numbing that pain that I couldn't discuss or that I was struggling to deal with and cope with.
Mr Gerrard: So, much of your - so, you accept that you need substance abuse counselling when - if you were to be released into the community?
Applicant: Yes, I do, I accept that I'd need some form of coping mechanisms or drug and alcohol counselling.
Mr Gerrard: And you have approached - you've approached Holyoake?
Applicant: Holyoake, yes, that's correct. They won't set up a plan or see me until I'm out.
Mr Gerrard: And you've had, essentially a period of enforced abstinence being incarcerated?
Applicant: That is correct, but also, the drugs have been available to me in prison and in the detention centre and I have chosen not to participate in any drug use, as I understand now, the effect it had on me and essentially, contributed to me committing the crime.
You contested your guilt throughout. That of course is your right. You do not receive any additional punishment for exercising that right. There is no demonstrative remorse by you, even now. As I understand it, you still maintain that you were not told by Nurse Morgan of the fact of your infection.
The way in which you were prepared to cling to this position in no doubt self-defence of your own self was very apparent in the way in which you attacked
Ms Morgan or her professional expertise in the course of the trial.
Mr Gerrard: At what point do you say you began to feel properly remorseful for your offending?
Applicant: After my conviction. So while I was incarcerated. I had lots of time to think about the impact I'd had on his life that (indistinct), and also my own life
Second primary consideration: The best interests of minor children in Australia affected by the decision (13(2)b))
(1) Decision-makers must make a determination about whether revocation is in the best interests of the child.
(2) This consideration applies only if the child is, or would be, under 18 years old at the time when the decision to revoke or not revoke the mandatory cancellation decision is expected to be made.
(3) If there are two or more relevant children, the best interests of each child should be given individual consideration to the extent that their interests may differ.
(4) In considering the best interests of the child, the following factors must be considered where relevant:
Third primary consideration: Expectations of the Australian community (13(2)(c))
Full Court of the Federal Court in FYBR v Minister for Home Affairs [2019] FCAFC 185 (FYBR (FC)) delivered on 24 October 2019. The Full Court, in effect, found that the narrow approach taken by Mortimer J in YNQY and by Perry J in FYBR is the correct approach. That is the approach that the proper characterisation of this consideration is a "kind of deeming provision" - expressing "an expectation deemed by the government to be held by the Australian community" (FYBR (FC) at [61] and [80] per Charlesworth J; see also Stewart J at [89]). A thorough analysis of the Full Court decision in FYBR (FC) is set out by Member Burford at [162]-[170] in her decision in Rehman and Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs [2019] AATA 4424 (Rehman) (delivered 31 October 2019 - presently under appeal). 5. Justice Stewart in FYBR(FC) found: 1. It is therefore to be expected that the Government of the day may wish to set the norms by which decisions to refuse or cancel visas are made. Where those norms are expressed, at least in part, as reflecting "community expectations" then, in that sense, they might accurately be understood as "deeming" what the community expectations are. That is because, as indicated, as a matter of practical reality there is no one or even necessarily dominant set of community expectations in this field. 2. However, it is not to be expected that the Government of the day would seek, via the device of "community expectations" or otherwise, to dictate to the statutory decision-maker the outcome of a visa refusal or cancellation in any particular case. That would be inimical to the process of decision-making that has been set up under the Migration Act and it would constitute unlawful dictation to the decision-maker: Drake v Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs (1979) 24 ALR 577 at 590-591 per Bowen CJ and Deane J; Bread Manufacturers of NSW v Evans [1981] HCA 69; 180 CLR 404 at 429-430 per Mason and Wilson JJ; CPCF v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection [2015] HCA 1; 255 CLR 514 at [37] per French CJ and [292] per Kiefel J. 3. The above contextual factors lead to two guiding considerations to the proper construction of Direction 65. First, "community expectations" as expressed normatively are what the Government says that they are, even though in actual fact if they were ascertainable community expectations might be quite different. Second, "community expectations" as expressed by the Government do not speak to the outcome in any particular case - they are to be understood and applied normatively. 6. Justice Charlesworth in FYBR (FC) notes that it is necessary to determine the context of the deemed expectation by reference to the paragraph itself rather than some factual inquiry. That task of the decision-maker is to identify the government's view of community expectation and to have due regard to it. Her Honour notes at [73]:
...The question that arises on this appeal is not whether the decision-maker is precluded from doing so, but whether the decision-maker's own assessment of the appropriate outcome is relevant to the task of identifying the content of the expectations of the Australian community under cl 11.3 of the Direction.
The clause implicitly recognises that the decision-maker's assessment as to whether or not a visa should be granted may differ from the expectations of the Australian community, as the government has deemed those expectations to be.
Those expectations remain a primary consideration to which appropriate weight must be given. As expressed, or "deemed" in the Direction, they weigh against revocation with respect to "serious crimes".
(1) In deciding whether to revoke the mandatory cancellation of a visa, other considerations must be taken into account where relevant. These considerations include (but are not limited to):
Strength, nature and duration of ties (14(1)(b))
(1) The strength, nature and duration of ties to Australia. Reflecting the principles at 6.3, decision-makers must have regard to:
January 2015. The Tribunal does not consider that paragraph 14.2(1)(a)(i) applies. The Applicant's offending, particularly the commission of the serious offence, did not begin soon after her arrival in 2006. 2. The Respondent in his closing submissions says that the Applicant has resided in Australia for over 10 years and that there is evidence that the Applicant has community connections noting that the Applicant has provided evidence of support from organisations within the community including NAPWHA, Magenta and the Scarlett Alliance. The Respondent concedes that the Tribunal should afford 'some weight' to this consideration but that that is outweighed by the considerations of the protection of the Australian community and community expectations. 3. The Applicant in her closing submissions point to the letters of support as well as the oral evidence given by witnesses as evidencing the Applicant's strong ties to the Australian community. The Applicant also refers to the high regard in which she is held by, and her potential to contribute to, the HIV positive community. 4. It is clear from the evidence presented that the Applicant has strong and relatively long-standing ties to the community. She seems to have built strong personal ties to those who gave evidence, in particular Ms S, Ms T and Ms C. It also seems clear from the evidence of the witnesses from various organisations that the Applicant has the potential to contribute materially to those organisations. 5. It is also clear that the effect of non-revocation of the cancelation of the Applicant's visa would have a significant impact on a number of those who gave evidence in support of the Applicant. Ms C's evidence in particular, indicates that it is likely that her raising her child, to whom the Applicant has previously provided counselling and with whom he appears to have a strong bond, would benefit from the revocation of the cancelation of the Applicant's visa. The Tribunal appreciates that paragraph 14.2(1)(b) refers to the effect of non-revocation on the non-citizen's immediate family in Australia, however, paragraph 14.1 of Direction 79 makes it clear that the considerations identified in paragraph 14 are not exhaustive and that the considerations 'include (but are not limited to)' those specifically identified. 6. Overall, the Tribunal considers that this consideration weighs significantly in favour of the revocation of the cancelation of the Applicant's visa.
Impact on Australian business interests (14(1)(c))
(1) The extent of any impediments that the non-citizen may face if removed from Australia to their home country, in establishing themselves and maintaining basic living standards (in the context of what is generally available to other citizens of that country), taking into account:
b. Whether there are substantial language or cultural barriers; and
New Zealand and that she would be expected to attend family gatherings where her abuser would be present. She expressed that this would bring back the trauma of her abuse as well as of the family's response to her disclosure of it. She expressed that she may well contemplate suicide as a result. 2. She also argues that she will face stigma and discrimination in accessing healthcare and employment and this is likely to exacerbate her mental health. 3. It is difficult to see how the matters that have been raised by the Applicant under this head are distinguishable from the same factors that she raises under the head of the extent of impediments if she is removed. 4. Again, while the evidence is scant and the point sought to be made by the Applicant is not clear, the Tribunal accepts that there is a possibility that the Applicant will face more discrimination if she is returned to New Zealand than she would if she were to remain in Australia and that that may have an impact on her mental health. The Tribunal, however, considers that only marginal weight should be given to this consideration.
(3) Both primary and other considerations may weigh in favour of, or against, refusal, cancellation of the visa, or whether or not to revoke a mandatory cancellation of a visa.
(4) Primary considerations should generally be given greater weight than the other considerations.
(5) One or more primary considerations may outweigh other primary considerations.
Full Court of the Federal Court in Minister for Home Affairs v HSKJ [2018] FCAFC 217; (2018) 363 ALR 325. 2. Senior Member Dr M Evans in CZCV at [164] summarised the legal position following the various cases referred to above as follows:
Thus, when read together, these passages from Suleiman and HSKJ are consistent with guidance to be given in the express wording of Direction no. 65, specifically, in paragraphs 8(3) and (4). The Tribunal must ensure, that in considering the primary and other considerations in Direction no. 65, that it must undertake a genuine weighing exercise during which it is not automatically assumed that primary considerations will always weigh more than other considerations (as the use of the word "secondary" tends to suggest). Although, as a general rule, primary considerations should generally be given greater weight, the Tribunal must not fetter itself against giving an other consideration greater weight than a primary consideration, if in the circumstances of the case it is correct and preferable to do so.
Dr M Evans. 2. Looking at the first primary consideration, the protection of the Australian community, the relevant consideration is whether the risk is an unacceptable one taking into account the nature and seriousness of the harm that would be caused if there was a repeat of the behaviour and the likelihood of that occurring. For the reasons set out in [59]-[115] above, the Tribunal finds that the likelihood of the Applicant re-offending is extremely low and that the risk is not an unacceptable one. The Tribunal finds that in the present case this consideration weighs in favour of revocation of the cancellation of the Applicant's visa. 3. For the Reasons set out in [116]-[120] the second primary consideration, the best interests of minor children in Australia, weighs in favour of the revocation of the cancellation of the Applicant's visa. The Tribunal is of the view that moderate weight should be given to this consideration. 4. The third primary consideration, the expectations of the Australian community, weighs against revocation of the cancellation of the visa, which, as a result of the decision in FYBR (FC) (see [131] above), it always must, however for the reasons set out in [133] above the Tribunal does not give this consideration significant weight. 5. In relation to the "other consideration", the consideration of strength, nature and duration of the ties that the Applicant has to Australia (Direction 79 paragraph 14(1)(b)), including the impact that the Applicant's deportation would have on Ms C, weighs significantly in favour of the revocation of the cancellation of the visa. The consideration of the impediments that the Applicant would face if she is returned to New Zealand also weighs marginally in favour of revocation as does the consideration of the harm, primarily psychological, that that Applicant would face if removed to New Zealand. 6. Having undertaken the weighing exercise, the Tribunal is of the view that the correct or preferable decision is that the cancellation of the visa should be revoked.
I certify that the preceding 177 (one hundred and seventy-seven) paragraphs are a true copy of the reasons for the decision herein of Deputy President Boyle
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BSJ16 v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection [2016] FCA 1181
CZCV and Minister for Home Affairs [2019] AATA 91
DKXY v Minister for Home Affairs [2019] FCA 495
FYBR v Minister for Home Affairs [2019] FCA 500
FYBR v Minister for Home Affairs [2019] FCAFC 185
Minister for Home Affairs v HSKJ [2018] FCAFC 217
Palmer v The State of Western Australia [2018] WASCA 22
Pinder and Minister for Home Affairs [2019] AATA 1398
Re Harrison and Minister for Immigration and Citizenship [2009] AATA 47; (2009) 106 ALD 666
Rehman and Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs [2019] AATA 4424
Sach and Minister for Home Affairs [2019] AATA 5173
Suleiman v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection [2018] FCA 594
Trang and Minister for Home Affairs [2019] AATA 4087
YNQY v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection [2017] FCA 1466
(2018) 363 ALR 325
(2013) 41 VR 359
(2014) 225 FCR 424
(1979) 24 ALR 577