14Deferral of consideration of application under section 13

#### 14 Deferral of consideration of application under section 13 (1) Subject to subsection (2), where: (a) an application is made to the Minister under section 13; and (b) it appears to the Minister at a particular time that: (i) if the Minister were to complete consideration of the application at that time, the Minister would be likely to refuse the application (otherwise than by reason of the operation of paragraph 13(1)(d) or (e)); and (ii) having regard to the effluxion of time, or to the likelihood of a change in circumstances, the Minister would be likely to grant the application if consideration of the application were deferred for such period as the Minister determines; the Minister may, in the Minister’s discretion, defer consideration of the application until the expiration of that period. (2) The Minister shall not defer consideration of an application made under section 13 for a period that exceeds, or for periods that, in the aggregate, exceed, 12 months. (3) Where, in accordance with subsection (1), the Minister decides to defer consideration of an application until the expiration of a period: (a) if the applicant is present in Australia, the Minister shall cause to be served on the applicant a notice in writing setting out that decision; and (b) section 13 and subsection (1) of this section apply in relation to the application as if it had been furnished immediately before the expiration of that period. A notice under paragraph (a) may be served personally, by post or by an electronic communication. (4) Nothing in this section prevents: (a) an applicant under section 13 from withdrawing the application; or (b) a person whose application under section 13 has been refused from making a further application or applications under that section.