Over 90% of the appeals to Federal Court are not even considered, let alone heard or reviewed. As a so-called appeal process that is legal, the Federal Court is a high-test court. It is like going from your small claims court to the Supreme Court in one step. It is very onerous, very expensive. Lawyers need to spend a lot of time, and the rationale I guess is that the Federal Court doesn't want to become the default refugee appeal division that is provided for in the law. So they say no. They don't even give their reasons for saying no in over 90% of the cases.
On November 2nd, 2006. See this statement in context.