Australian Education Union v Lawler [2008] FCAFC 135

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Australian Education Union v Lawler [2008] FCAFC 135

INDUSTRIAL LAW – System for registration of industrial associations under statute – Entitlement to registration for association of employees – Applicant association permitting persons who were, but who had ceased to be, employees to remain as members – Whether applicant an association of employees – Whether entitled to registration.

INDUSTRIAL LAW – Systems for registration of industrial associations under statute – Whether applicant for registration an "association" entitled to registration – Whether applicant had ceased to exist or become defunct by time of application or purported grant of registration – Whether irregularities in operation of applicant or in conduct of internal elections produced that result.

ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – Statutory tribunal empowered to register industrial association – Conditions and criteria for registration specified – Whether jurisdictional facts or matters to be determined by tribunal in exercise of jurisdiction.

ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – Statutory tribunal empowered to register industrial association – Tribunal required to decide by reference to specified criteria – Whether tribunal entitled to take pragmatic approach to resolution of technical questions – Whether tribunal did so – Whether any error corrected by internal appeal.

ABUSE OF PROCESS – Anshun estoppel – Separate administrative decisions dealing with same subject matter – Each decision challenged on jurisdictional grounds when made – Point of challenge available but not taken on first occasion – Whether point could be taken on second occasion – Whether party making challenge estopped from doing so.

Ainsworth v Criminal Justice Commission (1992) 175 CLR 564 Anvil Hill Project Watch Association Inc v Minister for The Environment and Water Resources (2008) 100 ALD 235 Architects Registration Board of Victoria v Hutchison (1925) 35 CLR 404 Australian Education Union v Victorian Principals' Federation (2001) 113 IR 365 Australian Education Union v Victorian Principals' Federation (AIRC, Print S8092, 19 July 2000) Australian Heritage Commission v Mount Isa Mines Limited (1997) 187 CLR 297 Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union v The Age Company Limited [2004] FCA 299. Brisbane City Council v Attorney-General for Queensland [1979] AC 411 Cameron v Hogan (1934) 51 CLR 358 Carter v Fry (Industrial Appeal Court of Western Australia, 17 March 1995) Chu Sing Wun v Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs [1995] FCA 229 Chu v Minister for Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs (1993) 45 FCR 540 City of Enfield v Developments Assessment Commission (1999) 199 CLR 135 Coal and Allied Operations Pty Ltd v Australian Industrial Relations Commission (2000) 203 CLR 194 Craig v South Australia (1995) 184 CLR 163, 179 Ex parte JC Williamson, Ltd (1912) 15 CLR 576 Federated Engine-Drivers' and Firemen's Association of Australasia v The Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited (1911) 12 CLR 398 Federated Iron Workers' Association of Australia v the Commonwealth (1951) 84 CLR 265 Foots v Southern Cross Mine Management Pty Ltd [2007] HCA 56 Gamilaroi Boomerangs Sports Aboriginal Corporation v Members of New England Group [1999] NSWSC 495 Greenhalgh v Mallard [1947] 2 All ER 255 Henderson v Henderson (1843) 3 Hare 100 Houssein v The Under Secretary, Department of Industrial Relations and Technology NSW (1982) 148 CLR 88 Joyce v Christoffersen (1990) 26 FCR 261 Ex parte Kenward [1989] FCA 397 Linehan v Transport Workers' Union of Australia (1981) 76 FLR 328 Linett v McIntyre (2002) 117 FCR 189 Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board v Municipal Officers' Association (1944) 68 CLR 628 Metal Trades Employers' Association v Amalgamated Engineering Union (1935) 54 CLR 387 Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs v Polat (1995) 57 FCR 98 Parisienne Basket Shoes Pty Ltd v Whyte (1938) 59 CLR 369 Phillips v Industrial Relations Commission of NSW (2006) 154 IR 96 Pitfield v Franki (1970) 123 CLR 448 Ex parte Poposki [2000] FCA 1190 Port of Melbourne Authority v Anshun Pty Ltd (1981) 147 CLR 589 Prichard v Krantz (1984) 8 IR 404 Project Blue Sky Inc v Australian Broadcasting Authority (1998) 194 CLR 355 R v Alley; Ex parte NSW Plumbers and Gas Fitters Employees' Union (1981) 153 CLR 376 R v Coldham; ex parte Australian Social Welfare Union (1983) 153 CLR 297 R v Dunlop Rubber Australia Limited; ex parte Federated Miscellaneous Workers' Union of Australia (1957) 97 CLR 71 R v Foster; Ex parte The Commonwealth Life (Amalgamated) Assurances Limited (1952) 85 CLR 138 R v Isaac; ex parte Transport Workers Union (1985) 159 CLR 323 R v McKenzie; ex parte Actors and Announcers Equity (1982) 148 CLR 573 R v Moore; ex parte Australian Workers' Union (1976) 11 ALR 449 R v Taylor; ex parte Professional Officers' Association – Commonwealth Public Service (1951) 82 CLR 177 Re Porter (1989) 32 IR 87 Re Wakim (1999) 198 CLR 511 Shrubb v Air Pilots' Guild of Australia (1979) 40 FLR 374 South Eastern Railway Co v Railway Commissioners (1881) 6 QBD 586 The Queen v Bowen; ex Parte Federated Clerks Union (1984) 154 CLR 207 Timbarra Protection Coalition Inc v Ross Mining NL (1999) 46 NSWLR 55 Troja v Australian Meat Industry Employees' Union (Vic Branch) (1978) 46 FLR 340 Turner v Australasian Coal and Shale Employees Federation (1984) 6 FCR 177 Wong v Minister for Immigration & Multicultural & Indigenous Affairs (2004) 146 FCR 10 Woolworths Ltd v Pallas Newco Pty Ltd (2004) 61 NSWLR 707 Zimmer-Vorhaus v Australian Institute of Marine and Power Engineers (1966) 8 FLR 468