The two main issues considered by the High Court were whether the Migration Act 1958 (the legislation governing immigration to Australia) permitted a person in Al-Kateb's situation to be detained indefinitely, and if so, whether this was permissible under the Constitution of Australia. A majority of the court decided that the Act did allow indefinite detention, and that the Act was not unconstitutional.
The controversy surrounding the outcome of the case resulted in a review of the circumstances of twenty-four stateless people in immigration detention. Nine of these people, including Al-Kateb, were granted bridging visas and allowed to enter the community.
Read more about Al-Kateb V Godwin: Background To The Case, Arguments, Judgment, Consequences