Mary Kathleen Uranium Ltd & Anor v The Seamens Union of Australasia & Ors [1981] FCA 198
Federal Court of Australia
Full text
Select any passage to save a personal note with optional tags.
CATCHJORDS
Trade practices - Sccondary boycott - engaged in conduct
for purpose of preventing trade between Australia ana
places outside Australia - application for interlocutory
relief - prima facie case - balance of convenience
Trade Practices Act 1974, s.45D(1A)
MARY KATHLSEN URANIUM Dr. ve Hi SEAMEN'S UlIOW OF
AUS TRA QUEENSLAND Sa aNcH, UNION OF EMPLOYES
and TH SBARIEN " S UNIOW OF AUSTRALIA
Wo. G32 of 1981
ATTORYEY-GDYERAL OF QUERHSLAND v. TH SHAMEI'S UNION OF
AUSTRALASIA, QUESNSLAND BRATCH, UNION OF SMPLOYESS aad
THE SHAMEN'S UNION OF AUSTRALIA
No. G33 of 1981
Morling J.
6 November 1981
Sydney
It THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA
QUEENSLAND DISTRICT REGISTRY No. G32 of 1981
GENERAL DIVISION :
BSTyann : LIARY KATHLEEN URAIMIUI LTD.
Applicant
AND THE SEAITEN'S UNION OF AUSTRALASIA,
QUEENSLAND BRANCH, UTTON OF EMPLOYEES
First Respordent
AND THE S@AMEN'S UNION OF AUSTRALIA
Second Respondent
JUDGE MAKING ORDER MORLING J.
DATE OF ORDER: 6 November 1981
WHERE TADEs
oe
Sydney
THE COURT ORDERS THAT :
Upon the applicant undertaking to the court to pay to any
party adversely affected by the interlocutory injunctions
such compensation (if any) as the court thinks just, in
such manner as the court directs, I make orders 1 and 2
in accordance with the document initialled by me and placed
with the papers.
I make further orders in terms of paragraphs 3-10 of the
said document.
I stand the matter over to 9.30 a.m. at Brasbane on 14.12.81
£. +
.
for further meation
IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA
QUEENSLAND DISTRICT REGISTRY No. G32 of 1981
GENERAL DIVISION
BETWEEN: MARY KATHLEEN URANIUM LTD.
Applicant
AND THE SEAMEN'S UNION OF AUSTRALASIA,
QUEENSLAND BRANCH, UNION OF EMPLOYEES
First Respondent
ig
THE SEAMEN'S UNION OF AUSTRALIA
Second Respondent
JUDGE: MR. JUSTICE MORLING
DATE OF ORDER: SIXTH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 1981.
WHERE MADE: SYDNEY
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED ~
1. That until further order the abovenamed Respondents
and each of them whether by themselves, their
servants or, agents or otherwise in concert with any
person, be restrained from aiding, abetting,
counselling, procuring, inducing or attempting to
aid, abet, counsel, procure or induce any person
to withhold labour from the Queensland Tug Co.
Pty. Limited when and to the extent that such labour
is according to the ordinary course of practice
required to man or operate any one or more tugs
FILED IN -GQURT/GMAMBERS Yi
ON 2A 5 7 b/y/ 2!
Ve fll
ASS00197 3"
assigned for the purpose of bringing in, berthing
or unberthing or taking out, to in or from the
Port of Brisbane any ship loaded or intended to be
loaded with containers of uranium concentrates
supplied by the Applicant where such conduct is
engaged in for the purpose, and would have or (&
likely to have the effect, of preventing or
substantially hindering the Applicant from
engaging in trade or commerce betwen Australia and
Places outside Australia, namely the export of
uranium concentrates, except where such conduct is
within the descriptions contained in Section
45D(3) of the Act.
2. That until further order, the Respondents and each
of them, whether by themselves, their servants or
agents or otherwise in concert with any person be
restrained from aiding, abetting, counselling,
procuring, inducing or attempting to aid, abet,
counsel, procure or induce any person to subject
te delays, bore wv Drape What tain Ht eon be ee ship owned or
operated by the same owner or operator is, has
been, or is intended to be loaded with containers
of uranium concentrates supplied by the Applicant,
where such conduct is engaged in for the purpose,
and would have or be likely to have the effect, of
preventing or substantially hindering the Applicant
from engaging in trade or commerce between Australia
Wha
and places outside Australia, namely the export of
uranium concentrates, except where such conduct
is within the descriptions contained in Section
45D(3) of the Act.
That the Respondents and each of them file and
deliver to the Applicant their Defence and any
affidavit in answer to the Applicant's affidavits
within 14 days from the date hereof.
That the Applicant deliver any Reply and affidavit
in reply within 14 days from the date of the
delivery of the Respondents' Defence and affidavits
in answer if any or (in the case of an affidavit in
reply) the last of such affidavits if more than one.
That each party give discovery within 14 days from
the date of delivery by the other party of the
last of the affidavits referred to in parragraphs 3
and 4 respectively.
That each party deliver interrogatories if any
within 14 days from the date of the making of
discovery by the other party.
That each party file and deliver its answers to
interrogatories within 14 days from the date of
delivery of interrogatories if any.
bl!
8.That the costs of and incidental to this application
be reserved.
9. That each party be at liberty to apply on giving
three days notice in writing to the others.
10. That the Applicant have leave to amend its
Application and Statement of Claim in
accordance with the Schedule hereto.
- Wan
M9
SCHEDULE
1. AMENDMENTS TO APPLICATION NO. G32 of 1981:
(eS Wr Pareyqregn | bint 1} ae he He tek ~ be vt . wn Fo
(4) In paragraph ? line 6 substitute "induce" fol Sandi "
bn Perey bones -. Sutrk dy, he he fu4 fdyes the a
ts} In maraiten 5 line 12 substitute wtneetnadeon £5 for
"Thornwaite'.
2. STATEMENT OF CLAIM IN APPLICATION NO. G32 OF 1981:
(a) Page 2 paragraph (C) to the end of the last line add
("the Chugoku Contract"),
Paragraph (D) to the last line add ("the KKB Contract");
(b) Page 4 paragraph 8 line 3 substitute "industrial" for
"indutrial",
Paragraph 10 in line 2 substitute "Master" for "Mater",
(c) Page 5 paragraph 13 at line 3 substitute "Bosun" for
"Busun" and "of" for "or",
Paragraph 14 at line 3 substitute "of" for "or" at fourth
word of the line,
At line 7 delete the word "or" at the end of the line and
substitute the phrase "and/or";
(d) Page 6 paragraph 15 at line 4 and at line 11 substitute
"containers" for "contained",
At line 10 substitute "manager" for "manger";
(e) Page 8 paragraph 23 at line 1 substitute "containers" for
"contained"; and
(f) Page 12 paragraph 32 at line 1 substitute "to" for "the".
Ti THe FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA
QUESNSLAND DISTRICT REGISTRY No. G33 of 1981
GENERAL DIVISION
BETWEEN s ATTORNEY-GENERAL OF QUEENSLAND
Applicant
AND: ao eae Ui TON OF Se
First Respondent
Hm SHAMEN'S UMION OF AUSTRALIA
Second Respondent
ORDERS
MORLING J.
JUDGE MAKING ORDERS
DATE OF ORDER: 6 November 1981
ry
UTHER E MADE:
Sydney
TH COURT ORDERS THAT 3
Upon the applicant undertaking to the court to pay to any
party adversely affected by the interlocutory injunctions such
compensation (if any) as the court thinks just, 1n such manner
as the court directs, I make orders 1 and 2 in accordance with
the document initialled by me and placed with the papers.
I make further orders in terms of paragraphs 3 - 9 of the said
document,
I stand the matter over to 9.30 a.m. at Brisbane on 14.12.81
for further mention,
IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA
G23
QUEENSLAND DISTRICT REGISTRY No. G32 of 1981
GENERAL DIVISION
ATTORNEY. GENERAL OF QuEENSL AAD
BETWEEN: "MARY -KAPHLEEN URANTUM LPB
Applicant
AND THE SEAMEN'S UNION OF AUSTRALASIA,
QUEENSLAND BRANCH, UNION OF EMPLOYEES
First Respondent
THE SEAMEN'S UNION OF AUSTRALIA
ig
Second Respondent
JUDGE: MR. JUSTICE MORLING
DATE OF ORDER: SIXTH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 1981.
WHERE MADE: SYDNEY
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED @¥=Gensenr?:
1. That until further order the abovenamed Respondents
and each of them whether by themselves, their
servants or, agents or otherwise in concert with any
person, be restrained from aiding, abetting,
counselling, procuring, inducing or attempting to
aid, abet, counsel, procure or induce any person
to withhold labour from the Queensland Tug Co.
Pty. Limited when and to the extent that such labour
is according to the ordinary course of practice
required_to man or operate any one or more tugs
FILED IN GOSRT ebuwindas
rae Mor
ON SA rae
PBR Oe Pa a Gel
assigned for the purpose of bringing in, berthing
or unberthing or taking out, to in or from the
Port cf Brisbane any ship loaded or intended to be
- loaded with containers of uranium concentrates
POBRY KRTHEEEN URANIUM LTD
supplied by the (Applicant- where such conduct is
engaged in for the purpose, and would have or pe-
likely to have the effect, of preventing or
. ; AAR KATHAGEN URANIVM AID
substantially hindering the Applicant from
engaging in trade or commerce betwen Australia and
places outside Australia, namely the export of
uranium concentrates, except where such conduct is
within the descriptions contained in Section
45D(3) of the Act.
2. That until further order, the Respondents and each
of them, whether by themselves, their Servants or
agents or otherwise in concert with any person, be
restrained from aiding, abetting, counselling,
procuring, inducing or attempting to aid, abet,
counsel, procure or induce any person to subject
fo helaya lose FOE not Setar of any oni pfowned or
operated by the same owner or operator is, has
been, or is intended to be loaded with containers
PRIY KATWKEEM Vapi 7D
of uranium concentrates supplied by ,
where such conduct is engaged in for the purpose,
and would have or be likely to have the effect, of
MACY Kft Cod ve told,
preventing or substantially hindering the-Apphicant
from engaging in trade or commerce between Australia
Wk
and places outside Australia, namely the export of
uranium concentrates, except where such conduct
is within the descriptions contained in Section
45D(3) of the Act.
That the Respondents and each of them file and
deliver to the Applicant their Defence and any |
ow Ie or
affidavite-# i, u "
within—i4—deys—from—the—datehereos .
ee
That the Applicant deliver any Reply and affidavit
in reply within 14 days from the date of the
delivery of the Respondents' Defence and affidavits
4 eh er « any or (in the case of an affidavit in
reply) the last of such affidavits if more than one.
That each party give discovery within 14 days from
the date of delivery by the other party of the
last of the affidavits referred to in parragraphs 3
and 4 respectively.
That each party deliver interrogatories if any
within 14 days from the date of the making of
discovery by the other party.
That each party file and deliver its answers to
interrogatories within 14 days from the date of
fv
Gelivery of interrogatories if any.
8.That the costs of and incidental to this application
be reserved.
9. That each party be at liberty to apply on giving
three days notice in writing to the others.
Application an Of Claim in
b/y/s?
IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA
QUEENSLAND DISTRICT REGISTRY
GENERAL DIVISION
No. G32 of 1981
BETWEEN:
MARY KATHLEEN URANIUM LIMITED Applicant
and
THE SEAMEN'S UNION OF AUSTRALASIA,
QUEENSLAND BRANCH, UNION OF EMPLOYEES
First Respondent
THE SEAMEN'S UNION OF AUSTRALIA
Second Respondent
IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA )
) No. G33 of 1981
QUEENSLAND DISTRICT REGISTRY )
GENERAL DIVISION
BETWEEN:
ATTORNEY-GENERAL OF QUEENSLAND
Applicant
and
THE SEAMEN'S UNION OF AUSTRALASIA,
QUEENSLAND BRANCH, UNION OF EMPLOYEES
First Respondent
THE SEAMEN'S UNION OF AUSTRALIA
Second Respondent
MORLING J.
6 November 1981
Sydney
REASONS FOR DECISION
The mining and export of uranium is a subject of
considerable disputation in the Australian community. Some say
that uranium should be left in the ground. Others are of the
view that it 1s inevitable that there will be a continuing market
for uranium overseas and that there is no valid reason why the
uranium deposits which exist in Australia should not be exploited
so as to supply that market. These cases arise out of that
controversy.
There are two applications before the Court. Mary
Kathleen Uranium Limited ('M.K.U.") has commenced proceedings
against the Seamen's Union of Australasia, Queensland Branch,
Union of Employees and the Seamen's Union of Australia seeking
orders under s.45D of the Trade Practices Act. The
Attorney-General of Queensland has also applied to the Court
seeking virtually identical relief against the same respondents.
Both applicants seek interlocutory relief and the applications
have been heard together. No separate evidence has been filed in
the Attorney-General's application, but it has been agreed that
the affidavits filed in support of M.K.U's application are to be
taken as evidence in the Attorney-General's application.
The applicant company owns and operates a mine and
treatment plant at Mary Kathleen in Central Queensland which
produces uranium concentrate. All the uranium produced is sold
to corporations carrying on business outside Australia for
ultimate use 1n electricity generation in Japan, West Germany and
the United States of America. Pursuant to contracts made with
these corporations the applicant company has obligations to ship
various quantities of uranium concentrates in compliance with
time schedules. It is contractually bound to supply large
quantities of concentrates by 31 December 1981. The contracts
contain force majeure clauses but in the event of M.K.U. invoking
these clauses serious consequences could result. For instance,
un the event that the force majeure clause is invoked the
American purchaser would be entitled to cancel the contract in
respect of the undelivered uranium concentrate. Similar
consequences could flow if M.K.U. were unable to meet its
delivery commitments to the Japanese and German buyers.
The uranium concentrates produced by the applicant
company are taken to the port of Brisbane for shipment overseas.
Containers containing the concentrates are transported from the
Mary Kathleen mine by truck and rail to the port where they are
shipped on scheduled liner services operated by various shipping
lines which carry general cargo.
The Australian Council of Trade Unions ("the A.C.T.U.")
holds to the belief that Australian workers should not contribute
to the dangers which the improper use of the uranium might create
by mining or exporting it. In broad terms, the A.C.T.U's policy
is that workers should not assist in any way in the mining and
export of uranium. However, in February 1978 the A.C.T.U.
specifically exempted M.K.U. from its general policy and agreed
that contracts entered into before December 1972 should be
honoured. The abovementioned contracts with the Japanese,
American and German purchasers were all entered into before 1972.
From March 1978 until February 1981 shipments of
uranium concentrates were made from Brisbane without incident,
save for a one hour stoppage of a shipment made in 1978. M.K.U.
shipped uranium at intervals of approximately three weeks from
March 1978 until February 1981 to meet its commitments under the
contracts. However, in April 1981, its shipping agents expressed
misgivings about making bookings of cargo space for future
shipments. It had been the practice for some time to consign
uranium concentrates on ships without Australian crews. This
practice had been adopted as a result of incidents in 1976 and
1977. However, foreign vessels still required the services of
tugs which were crewed by members of the respondent unions, or
one of them.
In April 1981 it became apparent to the shipping agents
that there was likely to be trouble in getting members of the
respondent unions to handle ships carrying future cargoes of
uranium concentrates. Shipping lines which had formerly carried
the applicant company's product were no longer willing to carry
1t. Eventually the company was able to ship a number of
containers containing concentrate on the vessel ""Paralla" which
sailed from Brisbane on 19 May 1981. It appears that in July
1981 a twenty-four hour ban was imposed by the second respondent
on the "Paralla" because it carried uranium concentrate on 19
May. As a result of this ban the owners of the "Paralla" are no
longer prepared to accept bookings from the applicant for further
cargoes of uranium concentrate.
Late in May 1981 M.K.U. made a booking for seven
containers of uranium concentrates to be shipped from Brisbane on
the vessel "ACT 4" which was scheduled to leave Brisbane on 16
June. The containers were loaded onto the vessel but because of
bans imposed by the respondents the ship could not be moved. The
vessel required tugs to unberth and move down the Brisbane River
and out to sea. The ban imposed by the respondents prevented
tugs from being used for the ship. Eventually the ban was lifted
and the ship left Brisbane on 19 June. Since that time the
agents for shipping companies have indicated that they are not
prepared to accept further bookings from M.K.U. until there is a
clear indication of a change in the respondents' policy to the
export of uranium. The applicant company's commercial manager
gave the following evidence, which was not challenged in cross-
examination:
"Because of the conduct of the Respondents and
others acting in concert with them, MKU has
been prevented from shipping uranium
concentrates from Australia to places overseas
and I apprehend that it will continue to be
prevented from doing so unless the Respondents
are restrained from continuing their conduct of
withholding services from tugs and threatening
to disrupt the movement of ships that carry
uranium concentrates for MKU and of other ships
owned or operated by the owners or operators of
ships that carry uranium concentrates."
The first respondent 1s a State registered union. As
the evidence presently stands its exact relationship with the
second respondent, which 1s registered under the Federal Act, 1s
not entirely clear. However, there is evidence that Mr. Geraghty
is the secretary of the Federal Branch of the Seamen's Union.
I take this to be a reference to the second respondent. In early
May 1981 Mr. Smith the general manager of M.K.U. had a
conversation with Mr. Geraghty and offered to discuss the uranium
issue with him. Mr. Geraghty said he was not prepared to comment
on the matter until after he had discussed the matter with the
secretary of the Queensland Branch of the Seamen's Union. I take
this to have been a reference to the first respondent. Mr. Smith
had a further conversation with Mr. Geraghty after Mr. Geraghty
had said that he would discuss the matter with the secretary of
the Queensland branch. Mr. Smith's evidence in this regard was
as follows: -
"In my discussion with Mr Geraghty on Wednesday,
6 May, 1981, Mr Geraghty stated that the
Seamen's Union fully supported the current
A.Cc.T.U. anti-uranium policy and that the
A.C.T.U. intended that policy to apply to the
uranium oxide which MKU proposed to ship, as
well as to uranium oxide from other mines. He
then went on to say that the Seamen's Union
would not permit the carriage of uranium oxide
by any vessel which had an Australian crew and
further, that the Seamen's Union would take
"protest action" against any foreign-manned
vessel which attempted to load uranium oxide in
Brisbane."
I have already referred to the ban which was imposed on
the "ACT 4" on 16 June 1981. There appears to be no doubt that
this ban was imposed in pursuance of the policy to which Mr.
Geraghty referred 1n his conversation with Mr. Smith.
On the afternoon of 15 June, Mr. Hoens, an officer of
the Queensland Tug Company Pty. Limited was contacted by Mr.
Rowland a Seamen's Union delegate. The Queensland Tug Company is
the company which provides tug services for vessels using the
port of Brisbane. Mr. Hoens gave the following evidence: ~
"At approximately 4.15 pm on the afternoon of
Monday 15th June 1981 I was contacted by a
Seamen's Union delegate, Peter Rowland. He told
me that the crews of the two tugs rostered to
assist in the unberthing of the vessel ACT 4
would be instructed not to operate the tugs. I
was informed by the said Rowland that crews were
being so instructed on account of the nature of
the cargo contained on the vessel, namely
uranium-yellowcake. No other reason was advised
to me for the refusal by the members of the
Seamen's Union for refusing to man the tugs.
"During the course of this conversation Rowland
made reference to the other union delegate, Ted
Pellett. At that time, Pellett was on the river
engaged as a member of the crew of a tug and was
not readily available. Rowland asked me that a
message be left with Pellett so that he,
Rowland, could contact Pellett, his fellow
delegate, in order to bring him up to date in
relation to the ban and to ensure that all
members of the union on other tugs were
notified."
Mr. Pellett is the President of the first respondent.
On 18 June, 1981 the night watchman employed by the
Queensland Tug Company was asked by Mr. J. Steel to pass a
message on to the agents of the "ACT 4" to the effect that tugs
would not be allowed to handle the ship. There is evidence that
Mr. Steel is the secretary of the first respondent.
There 1s also evidence from the Master of one of the
tugs which was assigned to take the ACT 4 out of port that he was
told by a union delegate that tugs would not be allowed to handle
the vessel while uranium yellowcake was on board.
The applicants have commenced proceedings under s.45D of
the Trade Practices Act alleging that the respondents are
engaging in conduct in contravention of that section. They
relied particularly upon s.45D(1A), which provides as follows:
"(1A) Subject to this section, a person
shall not, in concert with another person, engage
in conduct for the purpose, and having or likely
to have the effect, of preventing or substantially
hindering a third person (not being an employer of
the first-mentioned person) from engaging in trade
or commerce —
(a) between Australia and places outside
Australia;
(b) among the States; or
(c) within a Territory, between a State
and a Territory or between two
Territories."
The applicants have sought interlocutory relief, which
has been opposed by the respondent. The principles upon which
such an application should be determined are not in doubt and it
is sufficient to refer only to World Series Cricket v. Parish
(1977) 16 A.L.R. 181 particularly at 185-6 per Bowen C.J.and to
Transport Workers' Union of Australia v. Leon Laidely Pty.
Limited (1980) 28 A.L.R. 589 at p.593 per Bowen C.J. and
p.599-600 per Deane J. The latter case is particularly apposite
as it was a case in which interlocutory relief was sought in an
application brought under s.45D.
It was not contended before me that if the applicants
had made out a prima facie case that the respondents had engaged
in conduct in concert, that conduct was not conduct of the kind
referred to in s.45D(1A). It was conceded by Mr. Laurie Q.C.,
who appeared for the respondents, that 1f a prima facie case was
made out that the respondents were engaging in conduct in
concert, such conduct could be inferred to be for the purpose and
having the effect of preventing persons from engaging in trade or
commerce between Australia and places outside Australia. Nor did
he dispute that the two respondents were "persons" for the
purposes of the section. He agreed that that question, at least
for the purposes of deciding the application for interim relief,
was not arguable having regard to the decision in Laidely's Case
(supra).
However, Mr. Laurie argued that the applicants had not
made out a prima facie case for relief. He said that all the
applicants had been able to show was that a temporary ban had
been placed upon the "ACT 4" in June 1981 and that this ban had
been subsequently lifted by the unions. There was no evidence,
so he argued, that the unions had taken any action at all since
that time. He conceded that the A.C.T.U. policy had continued
but he argued that all that could be inferred from the evidence
was that the reason why the uranium concentrate could not be
shipped from Brisbane was the existence of the A.C.T.U. policy,
and not any conduct engaged in by the respondents, in concert or
otherwise.
He further argued that, in any event, there was
ansufficient evidence to implicate the first respondent in any
conduct at all. As I understood his argument, he did not contest
that there was sufficient evidence to make out a prima facie case
that the second respondent had taken some part in the ban imposed
10.
on the "ACT 4". It is true that the evidence as to the exact
relationship between the two respondents is not clear. But I
think there is sufficient evidence to show that the president and
secretary of the first respondent were actively involved in the
events which led up to the ban imposed on the "ACT 4" and that
they have been carrying into effect a policy of denying tug
services to ships carrying uranium concentrate from Australia.
As I have said Mr. Geraghty is the secretary of the
Federal Branch of the Seamen's Union. Mx. Geraghty told Mr.
Smith that the Seamen's Union would take "protest action" against
any foreign manned vessel which attempted to load uranium oxide
in Brisbane. Refusal to man tugs required to move foreign-
manned vessels is a very effective form of protest action. There
is sufficient evidence, in my opinion, to establish a prima facie
case that the two respondents have acted in concert (with each
other and the tug crews) in taking this protest action.
There is no evidence that the unions have taken any
decision to cease such protest action. It is true that the
applicants have not been able to place before me any evidence of
bans imposed on any particular vessel or vessels since June 1981.
But their failure to tender such evidence is occasioned by the
inability of M.K.U. Limited to persuade shippers to accept
shipments of uranium concentrates on their vessels.
I am not, in these proceedings, undertaking a
preliminary trial nor am I required to forecast the ultimate
result of the case. In the World Series Cricket Case (supra)
Bowen C.J. said at p.186:
ll.
"The strength of the case which the plaintiff
must make out will depend upon the nature of
the right which he is seeking to assert, and
the consequences which will flow from the
making of the interlocutory order. However,
where the facts are seriously in dispute, the
court will not undertake a preliminary trial of
action in order to forecast a probable result,
but rather, if the plaintiff has a fair chance
of success (and what will be required will vary
according to the nature of the case), the court
will proceed to look to the balance of
convenience."
I am satisfied that if the evidence stays as it 1s, the
applicants have "a fair chance of success" and that there is a
probability that at the trial the applicants will obtain relief.
On the question of the balance of convenience I think
there is an overwhelming case in favour of granting interlocutory
relief. The evidence establishes that M.K.U. is suffering
grievous loss. As a result of delays in shipments which have
already occurred the applicant company has incurred additional
costs or losses running into hundreds of thousands of dollars.
It employs about 500 persons at its mine and treatment plant and
incurs operating costs of about one million dollars per week in
operating the mine and the plant. The company's inability to
ship uranium concentrates has cut off its income. It 1s
substantially in arrears in its normal shipping programme. If
the company had been able to adhere to a normal shipping
programme it would already have received the greater part of a
total sum of $24 m. which is the value of shipments which have
been delayed. There is also evidence that if the company 1s
unable to honour its future contractual obligations it could
suffer further serious losses.
12.
Mr. Laurie did not contend that the granting of
interlocutory relief would cause the respondents any damage, but
he did argue that the applicants had been guilty of delay in
approaching the court. He alleged that such delay disentitled
the applicants to interlocutory relief. It is true that the
applicants have not been swift in approaching the Court. But I
think there is substance in the submission made by Mr. Merralls
Q.C., who appeared for M.K.U., that proceedings under s. 45D
against unions are only taken as a last resort. Moreover, it
cannot be suggested that the respondents have suffered any
prejudice by any delay which may have occurred. I think that the
balance of convenience lies in favour of granting relief to
M.K.U. It is true that the Attorney-General is not incurring
the damage which M.K.U. 1s suffering. But if anterlocutory
relief 1s obtained by M.K.U. no additional inconvenience will be
suffered by the respondents if the Attorney-General 1s granted
relief in similar terms.
For the above reasons I am of the opinion that the
applicants are entitled to an interlocutory injunction in
appropriate terms. As discussed with counsel at the hearing, I
will hear further argument as to the form of an appropriate
injunction.
I certify that this and the etter .
preceding pages are a true copy of the
Reasons for Judgment herein of his Honour
Mr. Justice Morling,.
Wile.
Related laws
No related documents linked yet.
You've got 21 of 22 free Acts left this visit. Sign up anytime for Facts, Related, and study briefs too.