Australian Workers Union v Yallourn Energy Pty Ltd [2000] FCA 65

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Australian Workers' Union v Yallourn Energy Pty Ltd [2000] FCA 65

INDUSTRIAL LAW - action in tort threatened in respect of industrial action - anti-suit injunction – whether industrial action protected action – whether bringing of action in tort contravenes ss 170MT, 170MU or 170NC of the Workplace Relations Act 1996 (Cth) – whether court should restrain the bringing of the action in tort

WORDS AND PHRASES – "no action lies under any law" – "alter the position of an employee to the employee's prejudice"

Workplace Relations Act 1966 (Cth): ss 127, 166A, 170ML, 170MM, 170MT, 170MU, 170MW, 170NC and 170NG

Independent Education Union of Australia v Canonical Administrators, Barkly Street, Bendigo (1998) 157 ALR 531 – cited Davids Distribution Pty Ltd v National Union of Workers (1999) 165 ALR 550 – cited State of New South Wales v McMullin (1998) 153 ALR 473 – applied Minister for Youth and Community Services v Health and Research Employees Association of Australia NSW Branch (1987) 10 NSWLR 543 – considered British Airways v Laker Airways (1985) AC 58 – considered Apple Corps Limited v Apple Computer Inc [1992] RPC 70 – considered CSR Limited v Cigna Insurance Australia Limited [1997] 189 CLR 345 - cited CEPU v Telstra Corp Ltd (1998) 85 IR 318 – cited Telstra Corporation v Australian Telecommunications Authority (1995) 133 ALR 417 – cited Maritime Union of Australia v Geraldton Port Authority (1999) 165 ALR 67 - cited Patrick Stevedores v MUA (1998) 195 CLR 1 – cited Krakowski v Eurolynx Properties Ltd (1995) 183 CLR 563 - considered National Workforce PL v AMWU (1998) 3 VR 265 - cited Transport Workers Union v Lee (1998) 84 FCR 60 - considered Pegasus Leasing v Cadoroll Pty Ltd (1996) 59 FCR 152 - considered

THE AUSTRALIAN WORKERS' UNION AND OTHERS v YALLOURN ENERGY PTY LTD V 23 of 2000 JUDGE: MERKEL J PLACE: MELBOURNE DATE: 8 FEBRUARY 2000