Department of Justice - Office of Corrections v Hepburn [1999] FCA 114

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Department of Justice - Office of Corrections v Valerie Hepburn [1999] FCA 114

INDUSTRIAL LAW – termination of employment – review of decision of judicial registrar – prison officer – dismissed for associating with prisoner on parole – whether valid reason for termination – reprimand, transfer and other sanctions available – no dismissal in other cases –fixed policy of dismissal - whether consequences of termination relevant – whether rule in Browne v Dunn (1893) 6 R 67 applied WORDS AND PHRASES – "valid reason" Industrial Relations Act 1988 (Cth) ss 170DE(1), 170EA(1), 170EDA(1) Workplace Relations Act 1996 (Cth) s 377 Corrections Act 1988 (Vic) s 3 Corrections Regulations 1988 (Vic) reg 6D Public Sector Management Regulations 1993 (Vic) regs 34.1, 38.1 Selvachandran v Peteron Plastics Pty Ltd (1995) 62 IR 371 applied Cosco Holdings Pty Ltd v Do (1997) 150 ALR 127 applied Qantas Airlines Ltd v Cornwall (1998) 83 IR 102 applied Paterson v Paterson (1953) 89 CLR 212 applied DEPARTMENTOFJUSTICE - OFFICEOFCORRECTIONS v VALERIE HEPBURN VG 160 of 1998 BLACK CJ, HEEREY & GOLDBERG JJ MELBOURNE 14 APRIL 1999

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

VICTORIA DISTRICT REGISTRY VG 160 of 1998

BETWEEN: DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE - OFFICE OF CORRECTIONS

Appellant

AND: VALERIE HEPBURN

Respondent

JUDGE: BLACK CJ, HEEREY & GOLDBERG JJ

DATE OF ORDER: 14 APRIL 1999

WHERE MADE: MELBOURNE

THE COURT ORDERS THAT: 1. The appeal be dismissed. Note: Settlement and entry of orders is dealt with in Order 36 of the Federal Court Rules

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

VICTORIA DISTRICT REGISTRY VG 160 of 1998

BETWEEN: DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE - OFFICE OF CORRECTIONS

Appellant

AND: VALERIE HEPBURN

Respondent