Tobacco Institute of Australia Ltd & Ors v. National Health & Medical Research Council & Ors

This was an application by the Tobacco Institute of Australia (TIA) for judicial review of recommended regulations developed by the Working Party of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) relating to passive smoking.

In developing its recommended regulations, the NHMRC was required to go through a process of public consultation in accordance with its governing legislation, the National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992 (Cth). The TIA had provided the NHMRC with submissions and materials to consider, however the NHMRC had declined to do so on the basis that it would only consider papers published in peer-reviewed scientific press.

The TIA alleged that the NHMRC's failure to consider the material was inconsistent with the mandatory provisions of s12 of the Act; constituted a failure to take into account relevant considerations; was so unreasonable that no reasonable body could have so acted (ie. Wednesbury unreasonableness); and was a failure to accord procedural fairness to the TIA.

Finn J agreed with the TIA's submissions. His Honour indicated that he would make orders sanctioning the NHMRC's failure in adhering to its obligations under the Act and pursuant to common law; however, he invited further submissions from the parties on the precise form of those orders.

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Tobacco Institute of Australia Ltd v. National Health & Medical Research Council & Ors [1196] FCA 1150 (20 December 1996); (1996) 142 ALR 1

  • Australia
  • Dec 20, 1996
  • Federal Court of Australia

Parties

Plaintiff

  • Philip Morris (Australia) Limited
  • Rothmans of Pall Mall (Australia) Limited
  • Tobacco Institute of Australia Limited

Defendant

  • Members of the National Health and Medical Research Council
  • Members of the National Health and Medical Research Council Health Advancement Standing Committee
  • Members of the National Health and Medical Research Council National Health Advisory Committee
  • National Health and Medical Research Council

Legislation Cited

Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 (Cth)

National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992 (Cth)

Related Documents

Type of Litigation

Tobacco Control Topics

Substantive Issues

None

Type of Tobacco Product

None