Principal Member Direction 1/2010 - Caseload and Constitution Policy
On 15 July 2010, the Principal Member signed Principal Member Direction (PMD) 1/2010. PMD 1/2010 replaces PMD 1/2009 and sets out the Tribunals' caseload and constitution policy for 2010-11. The principal objectives of the caseload and constitution policy are to:
- give priority to cases based on the circumstances of individual applicants;
- enable time standards to be met;
- deliver high quality reviews;
- ensure independence and impartiality in decision-making;
- ensure the fair and equitable allocation of cases to Members; and
- achieve a reduction in the number of MRT cases on hand.
Introduction of précis email alert service
précis - the MRT- RRT Monthly Bulletin summarises a selection of recently published Tribunal decisions and Country Advice; selected summaries of High Court, Federal Court and Federal Magistrates Court judgments; legislation updates; and an overview of MRT and RRT caseload for the preceding month.
The Tribunals have established an alert service that will notify subscribers by email as new issues of précis are published on the MRT-RRT website. The service is available to applicants, representatives, students and the general public.
Please visit the MRT-RRT Monthly Decisions Bulletin page if you would like to subscribe.
RRT 90 Day Report - 1 November 2009 to 28 February 2010
On 16 June 2010, the Principal Member's Report pursant to s.440A of the Migration Act on the conduct of Refugee Review Tribunal reviews not completed within 90 days, for the period 1 November 2009 to 28 February 2010 was tabled in Parliament.
Under s.440A of the Migration Act 1958, the Principal Member must give a report to the Minister every 4 months containing information about each decision reviewed by the RRT during the reporting period but decided outside 90 days and each RRT review over 90 days but undecided at the end of the reporting period. The report must include the reasons why decisions were not reviewed within the 90 day period.
Refugee Week 2010: 20 – 26 June 2010.
The Refugee Review Tribunal is holding open days during Refugee Week:
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Melbourne: Registry Open Day - Monday 21 June, 2.30pm to 4.30pm - Level 12, 460 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne.
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Sydney: Registry Open Day - Friday 25 June - Level 11, 83 Clarence Street, Sydney (close to Wynyard Station).
For information about other events during Refugee Week, visit www.refugeecouncil.org.au.
Gender Guidelines
On 10 May 2010, the Principal Member issued the Tribunals’ Gender Guidelines. The objectives of the guidelines are to further promote a gender inclusive and gender sensitive review process and recognise the social and cultural difficulties applicants face when making and presenting gender-related claims.
Stakeholder Engagement Plan for 2010-11
The Tribunals value our relations with stakeholders and hold regular community liaison meetings. We are encouraging a greater level of stakeholder involvement through the implementation of our Stakeholder Engagement Plan for 2010-11. The objectives of the Plan are to:
- enable better access to justice in the conduct of merits review of migration and refugee decisions by improving our communication with stakeholders and the information we provide about the Tribunals’ procedures;
- inform our strategic direction, policy and operations through an improved understanding of our stakeholders’ perspectives and needs; and
- shape the Tribunals’ knowledge, attitudes and behaviours through communication with our stakeholders.
Revised Guidelines on Referral of Cases for Ministerial Intervention
Following the re-issue of the Minister’s intervention guidelines in 14 September 2009, the Tribunals revised its guidelines on the referral of cases for consideration under the Ministerial intervention guidelines. See Tribunal Policy and Procedures Guideline TPPG 1/2010 Referrals for Ministerial Intervention. It replaces TPPG 1/2009 with effect from 4 February 2010.
Principal Member Direction 2/2009 - Putting Adverse Information Orally to Applicants
Principal Member Direction 2/2009 is now available. It replaces Principal Member Direction 3/2007, with effect from 24 November 2009.
Principal Member Direction 1/2009 - Caseload and Constitution Policy
Principal Member Direction 1/2009 is in effect from 31 July 2009.
Publication of daily list of MRT and RRT hearings
From 24 September 2009 the Tribunals have published a daily list of MRT and RRT hearings on this website. The lists are available from the 'Hearings' button on the home page.
MRT hearings are open to the public unless the Presiding Member decides that a hearing or part of a hearing should be conducted in private in the public interest. RRT hearings are not open to the public and information which may identify an RRT applicant cannot be disclosed.
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