AAT to be abolished and replaced with a new merits-based body in the new year
The Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus has confirmed that the Administrative Appeals Tribunal will be abolished. In a statement released on 16 December 2022, Mr Porter said the reputation of the AAT had been “compromised beyond repair”. A new merits-based tribunal will be established in the new year according to the government, who say it will be set up by someone other than the current AAT Registrar.
The AAT is an independent administrative tribunal that reviews decisions made by the Government, or another State or Territory agency. It offers a chance to review: How we apply for Centrelink payments, including youth payment and Newstart; Australian citizenship; any visa-related decision made by the Department of Home Affairs, including applications for criminal history checks; employment visas, working holiday makers and family members joining them; visas for educational purposes such as student visas and vocational education and training (VET) student loans.
The government wanted a new body to ensure that appointments are merit-based and appropriately qualified, but current members of the tribunal will need to reapply for their positions in the new body.
Mr. Dreyfus said, “Australians rightfully expect honesty, accountability and integrity in government.β
He said this decision came as a result of long consideration and shocking backlogs of the current tribunal. He said a task force led by former High Court judge Patrick Keane would consider how the new body would be designed and legislation would be introduced in 2023.
Source: ‘Politicised’ Administrative Appeals Tribunal abolished, after attorney-general declares its reputation ruined – ABC News
