Sharma, Sharon & Anor v State Rail Authority [1998] FCA 552

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA INDUSTRIAL LAW - TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT - review of decision of judicial registrar - estoppel - abuse of process - applicants dismissed from employment on ground of misconduct - applicants appealed to NSW Transport Appeal Board - dismissal confirmed - applicants appealed to employer as provided for by relevant legislation - appeal unsuccessful - applicants lodged applications before Court on ground that termination of employment was unlawful - whether applicants estopped from bringing applications before Court - State tribunal does not constitute alternative remedy - employees entitled to bring application in the Court - cause of action estoppel and issue estoppel not made out - hearing of applications may constitute abuse of process Transport Appeal Boards Act 1980 (NSW) Workplace Relations Act 1996 (Cth), s 170ED(4), s 170DE(1) AWU-FIME Union v Qld Alumina (1995) 62 IR 385, refd Baker v Campbell (1983) 153 CLR 52, refd Balog v Independent Commission against Corruption (1990) 169 CLR 625, refd Fryar and Simpson v Systems Services Pty Ltd (1995) 130 ALR 168, refd Houssein v Department of Industrial Relations & Technology (1982) 148 CLR 88, refd Julius v Bishop of Oxford (1880) 5 AC 214, applied Morgan v Konway Express Pty Ltd (IRCA, unrep, Wilcox CJ, Ryan and Moore JJ, 6/12/96), refd Nicholson v Heaven and Earth Gallery Pty Ltd (1994) 57 IR 50, refd Schaale v Hoechst Australia Ltd (1993) 47 IR 249, refd The Administration of Papua and New Guinea v Daera Guba (1973) 170 CLR 353, applied Trawl Industries of Australia Pty Ltd v Effem Foods Pty Ltd (1992) 108 ALR 335, refd Victoria v Commonwealth (1996) 138 ALR 129, refd Walton v Gardiner (1993) 177 CLR 378, applied Ward v Williams (1956-1957) 92 CLR 426, refd

SHARMA AND PRASAD v STATE RAIL AUTHORITY OF NSW NI 5047 of 1995, NI 1273 of 1996 MADGWICK J SYDNEY 25 MAY 1998