Miller v Australian Industrial Relations Commission [2001] FCA 486

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Miller v Australian Industrial Relations Commission [2001] FCA 486

INDUSTRIAL – termination of employment - where appellant dismissed for serious misconduct and failure to follow lawful and reasonable direction – whether termination was harsh, just or unreasonable – whether a valid reason for the termination existed - nature of Full Bench of the Industrial Relations Commission's power to grant, or refuse, leave to appeal – whether a decision under s 170CE is properly described as "discretionary". Workplace Relations Act 1996 (Cth) House v The King (1936) 55 CLR 499 applied Norbis v Norbis (1986) 161 CLR 513 distinguished Beneficial Finance Corporation Ltd v Karavas (1991) 23 NSWLR 256 (CA) cited Gregory v Phillip Morris Ltd (1988) 80 ALR 455 cited George Mitchell (Chesterhall) Ltd v Finney Lock Seeds Ltd (1983) 2 AC 803 cited Edwards v Giudice (1999) 94 FCR 561 cited Hope v Bathurst City Council (1980) 144 CLR 1 cited The Queen v Coldham; Ex parte Australian Workers Union (1983) 153 CLR 415 cited Re Coldham; Ex parte Brideson (1989) 166 CLR 338 cited Re Coldham; Ex parte Brideson (No. 2) (1990) 170 CLR 267 cited Public Service Association (SA) v Federated Clerks Union (1991) 173 CLR 132 cited The Queen v Gray; Ex parte Marsh (1985) 157 CLR 351 cited Sammartino v Foggo (1999) 93 IR 52 cited Pawel v Australian Industrial Relations Commission (1999) 94 FCR 231 cited Wang v Crestell Industries Pty Ltd (1997) 73 IR 454 cited Franklins Ltd v Webb (1996) 72 IR 257 cited Pastrycooks Employees, Biscuit Makers Employees & Flour and Sugar Goods Workers Union (NSW) v Gartrell White (No 3) (1990) 35 IR 70 cited Darling Island Stevedoring & Lighterage Co Pty Ltd v Jacobsen (1945) 70 CLR 635 cited Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union v Australian Industrial Relations Commission (1998) 89 FCR 200 followed Pawel v Australian Industrial Relations Commission (1999) 94 FCR 231 cited Victoria v The Commonwealth (1990) 187 CLR 416 followed Coal & Allied Operations Pty Ltd v Australian Industrial Relations Commission (2000) 74 ALJR 1348 followed Sinclair v Maryborough Mining Warden (1975) 132 CLR 473 followed DAVID MILLER V A FULL BENCH OF THE AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS COMMISSION AND UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES NO. N 801 OF 2000 JUDGES: BEAUMONT ACJ, RYAN & MADGWICK JJ DATE: 4 MAY 2001 PLACE: SYDNEY