Pochi v Macphee [1982] HCA 60

Pochi v Macphee [1982] HCA 60

Section 12 of the Migration Act 1958 Cth is valid as it is within Parliament's power under s. 51(xix) of the Constitution; the Minister was not bound to follow the Tribunal's recommendation; the plaintiff, not having been naturalized, remains an alien; the demurrer is allowed and the action dismissed.

Jurisdiction
Australia
Procedural Posture
Demurrer / Final Judgment
Outcome
demurrer allowed; action dismissed with costs
Legal Topics
['deportation' 'aliens' 'citizenship' 'statutory Interpretation' 'naturalization' 'ministerial Discretion']

Case Brief

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Procedural Posture

Demurrer / Final Judgment

  1. 1 ['Whether the Minister had power under s. 12 of the Migration Act to order deportation of the plaintiff' 'Whether defendants were bound to give effect to the recommendation of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal to revoke the deportation order' 'Whether s. 12 of the Migration Act was invalid for applying to persons who are not aliens within s. 51(xix) of the Constitution' 'Whether absorption into the Australian community removes alien status' 'Whether administrative neglect affecting citizenship application vitiates the power to deport']

Ratio Decidendi

Section 12 of the Migration Act 1958 Cth is valid as it is within Parliament's power under s. 51(xix) of the Constitution; the Minister was not bound to follow the Tribunal's recommendation; the plaintiff, not having been naturalized, remains an alien; the demurrer is allowed and the action dismissed.

Court Disposition

demurrer allowed; action dismissed with costs

Orders

  • ['Demurrer allowed.' 'Action dismissed with costs.']