REASONS FOR JUDGMENT
WILCOX J:
1 This matter was called, inside and outside the court. The appellant did not appear. This is despite the fact that the appellant was recently reminded, by the respondent's solicitor, of the hearing date. I have before me an exchange of emails from which it appears that the appellant emailed the solicitor for the respondent on 8 February 2006, inquiring about the hearing time. The appellant said he could not find that information from a letter he had received. A response was sent to this email, within about half an hour, stating the matter was listed for a directions hearing on 17 February 2006 at 9.30 am at the Law Courts Building, Queens Square.
2 As I say, the appellant has not appeared. No information has been received by the solicitors for the respondent concerning any problem he might have had today. Nor am I aware of any attempt by him to contact the Court. Certainly there has been no contact with my chambers. In those circumstances, Mr Carter, solicitor for the respondent, asks me to exercise the power given under s 25(2B)(bb) of the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) and order that the appeal be dismissed for failure of the appellant to attend the hearing today.
3 I think it is appropriate to exercise that power, having regard to the matters to which I have referred. Accordingly, pursuant to that power, I will order that the appeal be dismissed with costs.