Martin v Tasmanian Development & Resources [1999] FCA 593

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Steven David Martin v Tasmania Development and Resources

[1999] FCA 593 CONTRACTS – breach of contract – contract of employment for three year term – term allowing termination on one month's notice based on the "operational requirements" of employer – term imposing obligation on parties to seek to avert or minimise termination – termination of employee with payment purportedly in lieu of notice – no consultation –whether termination breached contractual terms DAMAGES – breach of contract of employment – availability of aggravated or exemplary damages - assessment of compensatory damages – allowance for effect of taxation on elegible termination payment – allowance for loss of chance of renewal of contract TRADE AND COMMERCE – misleading and deceptive conduct – whether notice of termination contained misleading or deceptive representations by referring to "operational requirements" which did not exist – whether such conduct was "in trade or commerce" TORT – misfeasance in public office – whether officer of respondent acted with intention to cause harm or knowingly in excess of power WORDS AND PHRASES – "operational requirements", "notice", "in trade or commerce" Tasmanian Development Act 1983 (Tas) ss 4, 5(3)(b), 6, 15A Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) s 52 Industrial Relations Act 1988 (Cth) s 170DE Income Tax Assessment Act (1936) (Cth) Part III Div 2 Subdiv AA Delaney v Staples [1992] 1 AC 687 applied Sanders v Snell (1998) 157 ALR 491 applied

Boston Deep Sea Fishing Co v Ansell (1888) 39 ChD 339 cited

Nettlefold v Kym Smoker Pty Ltd (1996) 69 IR 370 referred to

Woods v W M Car Services (Peterborough) Ltd [1982] ICR 693 cited

Cosco Holdings Pty Ltd v Do (1997) 150 ALR 127 cited Ridge v Baldwin [1964] AC 40 applied Coutts v Commonwealth (1985) 157 CLR 91 applied Byrne v Australian Airlines Ltd (1995) 185 CLR 410 applied Concrete Constructions (NSW) Pty Ltd v Nelson (1990) 169 CLR 594 applied Barto v GPR Management Services Pty Ltd (1991) 105 ALR 339 not followed Patrick v Steel Mains Pty Ltd (1987) 77 ALR 133 not followed Wright v TNT Australia Pty Ltd (1988) 80 ALR 221 not followed Orison Pty Ltd v Strategic Minerals Corp NL (1987) 77 ALR 141 not followed Finucane v NSW Egg Corp (1988) 80 ALR 486 not followed Merman Pty Ltd v Cockburn Cement Pty Ltd (1988) 84 ALR 521 not followed Burgundy Royale Investments Pty Ltd v Westpac Banking Corporation (1987) 18 FCR 212 applied Northern Territory v Mengel (1995) 185 CLR 307 applied Addis v Gramophone Co Ltd [1909] AC 488 applied Watts v Rake (1960) 108 CLR 158 cited Patterson v Middle Harbour Yacht Club (1996) 64 FCR 405 followed Commonwealth v Amann Aviation Pty Ltd (1991) 174 CLR 64applied Lavarack v Woods of Colchester Ltd [1967] 1 QB 278 cited Hadley v Baxendale (1854) 9 Exch 341 applied New South Wales Cancer Council v Sarfaty (1992) 28 NSWLR 68 not followed