Section 36D does not confer exclusively judicial power on Minister (RS [47]-[56])
11. Applying Alexander at [96], s 36D does not purport to confer an exclusively judicial
power on the Minister. It is, therefore, valid. Three factors support that conclusion.
12. First, the Minister’s power to impose citizenship cessation is enlivened only where a
court has found the relevant facts, and where, as a result, the person has been found guilty
of an offence that is inimical to Australia’s interests. Consequently, s 36D does not
exhibit the vice of s 36B. The applicant’s submissions that the Minister has a
“substantial” fact-finding role under s 36D(1)(c) and (d) must be rejected (cf AS [41]-
[43]; ASR [8]-[9]). That construction is contrary to the text of the provision. Further,
this Court rejected a similar argument in Minogue (2018) 264 CLR 252 (Vol 6, Tab 52).
13. Second, no Australian legislation has historically involved a court making the order for
citizenship cessation. By contrast, there is a long history of legislation providing for
citizenship cessation by executive decision, following a conviction by a court (see, eg,
Nationality Act 1920 (Cth), s 12(2)(b) (Vol 3, Tab 14)); and by automatic operation of
law (see, eg, Nationality and Citizenship Act 1948 (Cth), s 19 (Vol 3, Tab 15)). That
historical practice supports the line identified in Alexander at [96].
14. Third, certain matters to which the Minister must have regard under s 36D are not well
suited to judicial determination (let alone appropriate to be classified as matters
exclusively for judicial evaluation): see, eg, ss 36D(1)(c)-(d), 36E(2)(h).
15. Alternatively, this Court should recognise that, at least where a person has been convicted
and sentenced by a court for an offence within the narrow category of offences that engage
s 36D, imposition of citizenship cessation as a consequence of such offending otherwise
than by a Ch III court is permissible as an exception to the Lim principle.https://www.hcourt.gov.au/assets/cases/06-Melbourne/m90-2022/Benbrika-MHA_Res_OO...