Australia, March 31 -- New South Wales Land and Environment Court issued text of the following judgementon March 4:

1. The applicant is seeking merit review of a decision by the respondent to refuse him a contractor licence under the Home Building Act 1989 (NSW) (the HB Act).

2. The respondent concedes that the applicant holds the required qualification for a carpentry category licence. The substantive issue is whether the applicant is a 'fit and proper person' to hold such a licence.

3. For the following reasons I have decided to set aside the decision of the respondent and to order that a contractor licence in the category of carpenter be issued to the applicant.

Background

4. The following background facts are not in dispute.

5. Th...