Australian Nursing Federation v Alcheringa Hostel Incorporated [2004] FCA 375

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Australian Nursing Federation v Alcheringa Hostel Incorporated [2004] FCA 375 INDUSTRIAL LAW – freedom of association– whether respondent bound by an Award –respondent admitting to breaches of s 298K(1) of Workplace Relations Act 1996 (Cth) – determination of penalty to be imposed on respondent pursuant to s 198U(1) – whether contravention of s 298K(1) in respect of several employees constitutes a single offence – application of 'totality principle' – factors to be considered in determining quantum of penalty. PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – whether Court has jurisdiction pursuant to s 32 of Federal Court Act 1976 (Cth) to declare effect of State law – whether issue is an 'associated matter' – whether Court has discretion to exercise jurisdiction over an 'associated matter' – power to make declarations under s 21(1) of Federal Court Act – exercise of discretion to grant declaratory relief – circumstances militating against injunction to restrain future breaches. STATUTORY INTERPRETATION - principles of statutory interpretation – purposive approach – limitations on purposive approach – history of residential aged care industry – practical considerations arising out of a particular interpretation – inclusive and exhaustive definitions – use of words "means" and "includes". DRUGS, POISONS & CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES – whether the respondent, which conducts a residential aged care facility, is a 'health service' within the meaning of the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Regulations 1995 (Vic) – interpretation of meaning of 'health service' pursuant to subreg 4(1).

Workplace Relations Act 1996 (Cth) ss 298K(1), 298L(1)(a), (h), (i), (j) and (l), s 298T and 298U Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) ss 21, 23 & 32 Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 (Vic) s 129 Aged Care Act 1997 (Cth) Interpretation of Legislation Act 1984 (Vic) s 35(a) Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Regulations 1995 (Vic) regs 4(1), 45 and 47 The Australian Commonwealth Shipping Board v Federated Seamen's union of Australasia (1925) 35 CLR 462 Nicol v Parr (1985) 11 IR 141 Community and Public Sector Union v Telstra Corp Ltd (2001) 108 IR 228 Australia v Geraldton Port Authority (No 2) (2000) 94 IR 404 Beckwith v The Queen (1976) 12 ALR 333 Burnie Port Corporation v Maritime Union of Australia (2000) 104 FCR 440 Finance Sector Union of Australia v Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd [2002] FCA 1035 Construction, Forestry, Mining & Energy Union v Coal & Allied Operations Pty Ltd (No 2) (1999) 94 IR 231 Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union v DMG Industries Pty Ltd [2000] FCA 1492 Re Wakim; Ex parte McNally (1999) 198 CLR 511 Telstra Corporation Ltd v Hurstville City Council (2000) 105 FCR 322 Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Edensor Nominees Pty Ltd (2001) 204 CLR 559 Mills v Meeking (1990) 169 CLR 214 Chugg v Pacific Dunlop Ltd (1990) 170 CLR 249 Metropolitan Gas Co v The Federated Gas Employees Industrial Union (1924) 35 CLR 449 Gill v Donald Humberstone & Co Ltd [1963] 3 All ER 180 Melbourne Pathology Pty Ltd v Minister for Human Services and Health (1996) 40 ALD 565 YZ Finance Co Pty Ltd v Cummings (1964) 109 CLR 395 Zickar v MGH Plastic Industries Pty Ltd (1996) 187 CLR 310 Favelle Mort Ltd v Murray (1976) 133 CLR 580 Cohns Industries v Deputy Federal Commission of Taxation (1979) 24 ALR 658 Project Blue Sky Inc v Australian Broadcasting Authority (1998) 194 CLR 355 Hepples v Commissioner of Taxation (1990) 22 FCR 1 Thomas v Ferguson Transformers Pty Ltd [1979] 1 NSWLR 216 Pennant Hills Restaurants Pty Ltd v Barrell Insurances Pty Ltd (1980) 145 CLR 625 Bond v Sulan (1990) 26 FCR 580 Ainsworth v Criminal Justice Commission (1992) 175 CLR 564