Re Australian Industrial Relations Commission; Ex parte Smith [2004] FCAFC 271

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Re Australian Industrial Relations Commission; Ex parte Smith [2004] FCAFC 271

INDUSTRIAL LAW – termination of employment – retrenchment of employees at mine – order by Australian Industrial Commission that termination of employees in breach of Workplace Relations Act 1996 (Cth) – finding that terminations were "harsh, unjust and unreasonable" – order by Commission that employees be reinstated – appeal to Full Bench –Full Bench affirmed finding regarding terminations but set aside reinstatement order – whether Full Bench erred in law – whether Full Bench exceeded jurisdiction by quashing order without first finding appealable error – whether Full Bench erred by affirming finding regarding terminations – subsequent application by Union for exceptional matters order –whether later Full Bench erred by making order Workplace Relations Act 1996 (Cth) ss 45, 45(1)(b), 45(6), 45(7), 89A(7), 150, 170CA, 170CE(1), 170 CF(2), 170CG, 170CG(3), 170CG(3)(a), 170CG(3)(e), 170CH, 170CH(1), 170CH(2), 170CH(3), 170CH(4), 170CH(6), 170HI, 170JF(2), 415 High Court Rules O 55 r 30, O 55 r 17

Construction, Forestry, Mining And Energy Union v Australian Industrial Relations Commission (1999) 93 FCR 317 at 339-347 discussed Construction, Forestry, Mining And Energy Union v Comalco Aluminium Ltd (1998) 90 FCR 81 referred to Coal and Allied Operations Pty Ltd v Australian Industrial Relations Commission (2000) 203 CLR 194 applied Sammartino v Foggo (1999) 93 IR 52 referred to Miller v Australian Industrial Relations Commission (2001) 108 FCR 192 referred to Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs v Thiyagarajah (2000) 199 CLR 343 referred to Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs v Bhardwaj (2002) 209 CLR 597 at 612‑617, 633‑634, 643 referred to Plaintiff S157/2002 v Commonwealth (2003) 195 ALR 24 referred to Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union v Australian Industrial Relations Commission (1998) 89 FCR 200 at 226-227, 230 discussed House v The King (1936) 55 CLR 499 referred to Norbis v Norbis (1985-1986) 161 CLR 513 at 518-519 considered Edwards v Giudice (1999) 94 FCR 561 at 565, 585 referred to CDJ v VAJ (1998) 197 CLR 172 at 191, 201-202 referred to Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs v Jia Legeng (2001) 205 CLR 507 referred to Allesch v Maunz (2000) 203 CLR 172 at 179-182 referred to Cubillo v Commonwealth (2001) 112 FCR 455 at 522 referred to The Queen v Alley; Ex parte NSW Plumbers & Gasfitters Employees' Union (1981) 153 CLR 376 at 380 referred to Hall v New South Wales Trotting Club Ltd [1977] 1 NSWLR 378 referred to Malone v Marr [1981] 2 NSWLR 894 referred to Re Heaney; ex parte Tunza Holdings Pty Ltd [1998] WASCA 341 referred to R v Marshall; ex parte Baranor Nominees Pty Ltd [1984] VR 211 referred to Bread Manufacturers of New South Wales v Evans (1981) 180 CLR 404 referred to Re Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance; Ex parte Arnel (1994) 179 CLR 84 discussed Quality Bakers of Australia Ltd v Goulding (1995) 60 IR 327 at 334 referred to Minister for Immigration & Ethnic Affairs v Baker (1997) 73 FCR 187 at 194 referred to Ex parte Hebburn Ltd; re Kearsley Shire Council (1947) 47 SR(NSW) 416 at 420 referred to Friends of Hinchinbrook Society Inc v Minister for Environment & Ors (No 3) (1997) 77 FCR 153 at 187 et seq referred to RE AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS COMMISSION; EX PARTE SMITH & ORS N860 OF 2003 LEE, GOLDBERG & WEINBERG JJ 11 OCTOBER 2004 SYDNEY