EZY Accounting 123 Pty Ltd v Fair Work Ombudsman [2018] FCAFC 134

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

EZY Accounting 123 Pty Ltd v Fair Work Ombudsman [2018] FCAFC 134 Appeal from: Fair Work Ombudsman v Blue Impression Pty Ltd [2017] FCCA 810, (2017) 269 IR 92 Fair Work Ombudsman v Blue Impressions Pty Ltd (No 2) [2017] FCCA 2797

File number: VID 1339 of 2017

Judges: FLICK, BROMBERG AND O'CALLAGHAN JJ

Date of judgment: 20 August 2018

Catchwords: INDUSTRIAL LAW – accessorial liability – whether the Appellant was involved in contraventions – whether the Appellant was knowingly concerned in contraventions – consideration of the extent of knowledge required – where the primary Judge made findings of actual knowledge PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – appeals – where primary Judge made findings of actual knowledge – where primary Judge made adverse findings as to credit – whether appellable error in findings made by primary judge

Legislation: Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) ss 45, 50, 550

Cases cited: Australian Building and Construction Commissioner v Parker [2017] FCA 564, (2017) 266 IR 340 Australian Communications and Media Authority v Mobilegate Ltd (No 8) [2010] FCA 1197, (2010) 275 ALR 293 Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union v John Holland Pty Ltd [2009] FCA 274, (2009) 180 IR 350 Compaq Computer Australia Pty Ltd v Merry (1998) 157 ALR 1 Fair Work Ombudsman v Al Hilfi [2012] FCA 1166 Fair Work Ombudsman v Blue Impression Pty Ltd [2017] FCCA 810, (2017) 269 IR 92 Fair Work Ombudsman v Devine Marine Group Pty Ltd [2014] FCA 1365 Fair Work Ombudsman v Grouped Property Services Pty Ltd [2016] FCA 1034, (2016) 152 ALD 209 Fair Work Ombudsman v Priority Matters Pty Ltd [2017] FCA 833 Fox v Percy [2003] HCA 22, (2003) 214 CLR 118 Giorgianni v The Queen (1985) 156 CLR 473 Jemena Asset Management (3) Pty Ltd v Coinvest Ltd [2011] HCA 33, (2011) 244 CLR 508 Potter v Fair Work Ombudsman [2014] FCA 187 Saints Gallery Pty Ltd v Plummer (1988) 80 ALR 525 Warren v Coombes (1979) 142 CLR 531