Comcare v Post Logistics Australasia Pty Limited [2012] FCAFC 168

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Comcare v Post Logistics Australasia Pty Limited [2012] FCAFC 168 Citation: Comcare v Post Logistics Australasia Pty Limited [2012] FCAFC 168

Appeal from: Comcare v Post Logistics Australasia Pty Limited [2011] FCA 1422

Parties: COMCARE v POST LOGISTICS AUSTRALASIA PTY LIMITED ACN 002 579 115

File number: NSD 105 of 2012

Judges: RARES, COWDROY & GRIFFITHS JJ

Date of judgment: 23 November 2012

Catchwords: INDUSTRIAL LAW – breach of s 16(1) Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991 (Cth) – quantity of penalty imposed under Sch 2 cl 4 – relevance of deterrence in assessing civil pecuniary penalties under Sch 2 cl 4 – relevance of prior breach of s 16(1) – foreseeability of risk of injury – whether primary judge failed to take into account admission and concession of the respondent – whether primary judge denied procedural fairness in rejection of proposed penalty ranges – whether manifest inadequacy of penalty

Legislation: Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991 (Cth) ss 3, 11, 16 and Sch 2 cl 2, 4, 5

Cases cited: Australian Communications and Media Authority v Radio 2UE Sydney Pty Ltd (No 2) (2009) 178 FCR 199 Australian Ophthalmic Supplies Pty Ltd v McAlary-Smith (2008) 165 FCR 560 Australian Prudential Regulation Authority v Derstepanian (2005) 60 ATR 518 Carroll v The Queen (2009) 254 ALR 379 Comcare v Australian Postal Corporation [2011] FCA 530 Comcare v Commonwealth (2007) 163 FCR 207 Comcare v Commonwealth of Australia (2009) 184 IR 441 Comcare v John Holland Pty Ltd [2012] FCA 449 Comcare v John Holland Rail Pty Ltd (2009) 188 IR 415 Comcare v National Gallery of Australia (2007) 98 ALD 67 Comcare v Post Logistics Australasia Pty Ltd (2008) 178 IR 200 Comcare v Subsee Explorer Pty Ltd (2011) 210 IR 322 Comcare v Transpacific Industries Pty Ltd [2012] FCA 90 Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (2007) 162 FCR 466 Community and Public Sector Union v Telstra Corporation Ltd (2001) 108 IR 228 Dinsdale v The Queen (2000) 202 CLR 321 Draffin v Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (2009) 189 IR 145 Durayappah v Fernando [1967] 2 AC 337 Fair Work Ombudsman v Wongtas Pty Ltd (No 2) [2012] FCA 30 Greentree v Minister for the Environment and Heritage (2005) 144 FCR 388 House v The King (1936) 55 CLR 499 Kable v Director of Public Prosecutions (1995) 36 NSWLR 374 Minister for the Environment and Heritage v Greentree (No 3) (2004) 136 LGERA 89 Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources v Mobil Oil Australia Pty Ltd (2004) ATPR 41-993 Muldrock v The Queen (2011) 244 CLR 120 Plancor Pty Ltd v Liquor Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union (2008) 177 IR 243 R v Hamieh [2010] NSWCCA 189 R v Harrison (1997) 93 A Crim R 314 R v Radich [1954] NZLR 86 R v Romanic [2000] NSWCCA 524 R v Rushby [1977] 1 NSWLR 594 R v Porter (1933) 55 CLR 182 Rich v Australian Securities and Investments Commission (2004) 220 CLR 129 R v Scognamiglio (1991) 56 A Crim R 81 Secretary, Department of Health and Ageing v Pagasa Australia Pty Ltd [2008] FCA 1545 Trade Practices Commission v CSR Ltd (1991) ATPR 41-076 York v R (2005) 225 CLR 466