Miller v University of New South Wales [2002] FCA 882

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Miller v University of New South Wales [2002] FCA 882 PRACTICE – stay of proceedings - issue estoppel – res judicata – abuse of process – whether applicant who has litigated a matter to conclusion in the Australian Industrial Relations Commission is able to litigate the same issues in the Federal Court INDUSTRIAL LAW – Termination of employment – Australian Industrial Relations Commission – Jurisdiction – Whether applicant estopped by decision of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission that dismissal not harsh, unjust or unreasonable in subsequent proceedings in the Federal Court – whether decision by the Australian Industrial Relations Commission capable of giving rise to res judicata INDUSTRIAL LAW – Termination of employment – Workplace Relations Act 1996 (Cth) s 170HB – whether s 170HB prevents applicant from making a claim under common law where decision previously made by Australian Industrial Relations Commission - whether s 170HB prevents applicant from making claims for breach of a certified agreement where decision previously made by Australian Industrial Relations Commission Workplace Relations Act 1996 (Cth) ss 170CE, 170CF, 170CFA, 170CG, 170CH, 170CI, 170HA, 170HB, 178, 179, 413A, Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) s 21 Miller v University of NSW 7 March 2000 (Print S3518) referred to Miller v Australian Industrial Relations Commission [2001] FCA 486; 108 FCR 192 referred to Amann Aviation Pty Limited v Commonwealth 22 FCR 527 referred to Johnson v Unisys Ltd [2001] UKHL 13; [2001] 2 All ER 801 referred to Dey v Victorian Railways Commissioners (1949) 78 CLR 62 referred to General Steel Industries Inc v Commissioner for Railways (NSW) (1964) 112 CLR 125 referred to Lange v Australian Broadcasting Corporation (1997) 189 CLR 520 cited Re Colina; Ex parte Torney [1999] HCA 57; (1999) 200 CLR 386 referred to Blair v Curran (1939) 62 CLR 464 cited Chamberlain v Deputy Commissioner of Taxation (1988) 164 CLR 502 cited Port of Melbourne Authority v Anshun Proprietary Ltd (1981) 147 CLR 589 referred to Beckford Nominees Pty Ltd v Shell Co of Australia Ltd (1986) 73 ALR 373 distinguished Kidd v Savage River Mines (1984) 6 FCR 398 distinguished Mills v Cooper [1967] 2 QB 459 cited Queensland v The Commonwealth (1977) 139 CLR 585 cited Rogers v The Queen (1994) 181 CLR 251 cited Shergold v Tanner [2002] HCA 19 referred to Hatchett v Bowater Tutt Industries Pty Limited (1991) 39 IR 24 distinguished Green v Hampshire County Council [1979] ICR 861 cited The Administration of the Territory of Papua and New Guinea v Daera Guba (1973) 130 CLR 353 cited Australian Transport Officers Federation v State Public Service Federation (1981) 34 ALR 406 cited Blagojevch v Australian Industrial Relations Commission (2000) 172 ALR 611 followed Walton v Gardiner (1992) 177 CLR 378 cited Jago v The District Court of New South Wales (1989) 168 CLR 23 referred to CSR Limited v Cigna Insurance Australia Limited (1997) 189CLR 345 referred to Ross T Smyth & Co Ltd v T D Bailey, Son & Co [1940] 3 All ER 60 referred to Banning v Wright (Inspector of Taxes) [1972] 2 All ER 987 referred to