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The immigration minister is not the only one with personal powers, nor are we the only country that provides individuals with like powers. They can 100% be challenged and the reasons are the only thing that can be debated. Novak’s failing was you can’t argue a difference of opinion (I.e. whether deporting or not deporting him would cause the greater unrest) against a ministerial power. He needed to provide factual evidence that the reasons were incorrect. And 99.99% of the time, the minister is going to word the cancellation so that there’s not really any facts to argue against.
To my second point, do you believe ministerial powers should not have a greater level of discretion/leniency in their use?
Yeah I don't think that the defendant has much scope to win a case within the framework
Action by Minister--natural justice does not apply
(3) The Minister may set aside the original decision and:
(a) refuse to grant a visa to the person; or
(b) cancel a visa that has been granted to the person;
if:
(c) the Minister reasonably suspects that the person does not pass the character test (as defined by section 501); and
(d) the Minister is satisfied that the refusal or cancellation is in the national interest.
(4) The rules of natural justice, and the code of procedure set out in Subdivision AB of Division 3 of Part 2, do not apply to a decision under subsection (3).
(4A) Under subsection (2) or (3), the Minister may cancel a visa that has been granted to a person even if the original decision under subsection (1) was a decision not to exercise the power conferred by subsection 501(1) to refuse to grant a visa to the person.
Minister's exercise of power
(5) The power under subsection (2) or (3) may only be exercised by the Minister personally.
(6) The Minister does not have a duty to consider whether to exercise the power under subsection (2) or (3) in respect of the original decision, whether or not the Minister is requested to do so, or in any other circumstances.
Decision not reviewable under Part 5 or 7
(7) A decision under subsection (2) or (3) is not reviewable under Part 5 or 7.