Construction, Forestry Mining & Energy Union v Coal & Allied Operations Pty Ltd (1999) FCA 1531

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union v Coal and Allied Operations Pty Ltd [1999] FCA 1531 INDUSTRIAL LAW – Workplace Relations Act 1996 (Cth) – Part XA Freedom of Association – whether individual an officer of an industrial association – whether injury or alteration of position to employee's prejudice – whether absent for purpose of carrying out duties as an officer – whether leave unreasonably withheld – whether conduct for a prohibited reason – consideration of statutory onus Workplace Relations Act 1996 (Cth) ss 3, 4, 298A, 298B, 298G, 298K(1), 298L(1), 298T, 298U. 298V Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (Cth)s 23(b) Plumton v Cathay Hotel Pty Ltd (1987) 21 IR 410, cited Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union v Fohmsbee (1998) 81 IR 120, cited Re McJannet; Ex parte Minister for Employment, Training and Industrial Relations (Qld) (1995) 184 CLR 620, cited Blair v Australian Motor Industries Ltd (1981) 61 FCR 283, cited Kimpton v Minister for Education of Victoria (1996) 65 IR 317, cited Patrick Stevedores Operations No. 2 Pty Ltd v Maritime Union of Australia [1998] HCA 30, (1998) 195 CLR 1, cited Byrne v Australian Airlines Ltd (1995) 185 CLR 410, cited Bostik (Australia) Pty Ltd v Gorgevski (No. 1) (1992) 36 FCR 20, cited Davids Distribution Pty Ltd v National Union of Workers [1999] FCA 1108; (1999) 165 ALR 550, followed CONSTRUCTION, FORESTRY, MINING AND ENERGY UNION v COAL AND ALLIED OPERATIONS PTY LTD NG 778 of 1998 BRANSON J SYDNEY 5 NOVEMBER 1999

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY NG 778 of 1998

BETWEEN: CONSTRUCTION, FORESTRY, MINING AND ENERGY UNION

Applicant

AND: COAL AND ALLIED OPERATIONS PTY LTD

Respondent

JUDGE: BRANSON J

DATE: 5 NOVEMBER 1999