FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

 

Mundraby v Commonwealth of Australia [2001] FCA 775



 


ELLIS MUNDRABY v COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

NG 808 OF 1998

 

AND

 

DAVID MARK LEWIS v COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

NG 809 OF 1998

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TAMBERLIN J

SYDNEY

20 JUNE 2001

 



IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

 

NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY

NG 808 OF 1998

 

BETWEEN:

ELLIS MUNDRABY

APPLICANT

 

AND:

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

RESPONDENT

 

 

NG 809 of 1998

BETWEEN:

DAVID MARK LEWIS

APPLICANT

 

AND:

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

RESPONDENT

 

 

 

JUDGE:

TAMBERLIN J

DATE:

20 JUNE 2001

PLACE:

SYDNEY


REASONS FOR JUDGMENT

1                     In this matter a challenge has been made to the expertise of Mr Drummond who has been called to give evidence as to the Royal Australian Navy’s career progression assessment of the applicant.  Having heard cross‑examination, considered Mr Drummond’s curriculum vitae and heard evidence from Mr Drummond, I am not satisfied that he has the necessary expertise by way of study, training or experience to express an opinion that would qualify as an expert opinion to the court.  Accordingly, I do not accept Mr Drummond as being an expert in the areas which are referred to in his reports and which are the subjects of the conclusions which he expresses.

I certify that the preceding one (1) numbered paragraph is a true copy of the Reasons for Judgment herein of the Honourable Justice Tamberlin.


Associate:


Dated:              25 June 2001



Counsel for the Applicant:

Mr D T Kennedy SC

Mr E G Romaniuk

Mr A C M Iuliano



Solicitor for the Applicant:

William Szekely

Szekely & Associates



Counsel for the Respondent:

Mr C C Branson QC

Mr P S Jones

Ms S Thode



Solicitor for the Respondent:

Australian Government Solicitor



Date of Hearing:

20 June 2001



Date of Judgment:

20 June 2001