State of New South Wales v. Burns & Ors

Lower Court Judgment

[2017] NSWCA 3

Catchwords

Constitutional law – Diversity jurisdiction – Where resident of New South Wales made complaints to Anti-Discrimination Board of NSW about statements made by Victorian resident and Queensland resident – Where Victorian resident ordered to make apologies by Administrative Decisions Tribunal of New South Wales (ADT) – Where complaints against Queensland resident referred to New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) – Where Court of Appeal held ADT and NCAT lacked jurisdiction – Whether Court of Appeal erred in failing to find state diversity jurisdiction retained by state tribunals – Whether Court of Appeal erred in concluding state law purporting to confer jurisdiction upon state tribunal with respect to matters identified in ss 75 and 76 of Constitution inconsistent with s 39(2) of Judiciary Act within meaning of s 109 of Constitution – Whether a state can validly confer judicial power in any matters dealt with in ss 75, 76 of Constitution on person or body that is not a “court of a State” – Whether judicial power conferred upon NCAT to determine matters under Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW) between residents of different states regarding conduct that occurs outside New South Wales.

Short particulars