Commonwealth of Australia v Evans [2004] FCA 654

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Commonwealth of Australia v Evans [2004] FCA 654 DISCRIMINATION – Sex Discrimination Act 1984 – taking of carer's leave – employment contract not renewed – whether dismissal on grounds of sex and/or family responsibilities – no evidence to support finding of discrimination on ground of sex – whether any evidence to support finding of discrimination on ground of family responsibilities PRACTICE & PROCEDURE – appeal from judgment of Federal Magistrate – formation of appeal grounds – challenge to factual foundations of steps in reasoning process – whether any evidence to support findings of Federal Magistrate RELIEF – declarations – form of declaration – level of specificity required – discretionary relief – whether grant of declaratory relief in addition to award of damages warranted

Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986 (Cth) s 46PO National Crime Authority Act 1984 (Cth) s 47 Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) subs 24(1) Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) ss 5, 8, 14, 107, 108 Public Service Act 1999 (Cth) ss 20, par 22(2)(b) Argus Real Estate Holdings Pty Ltd v Lyristakis [2002] FCAFC 256 cited Elliott v Nanda [2001] FCA 418; 111 FCR 240 referred to Hall v A & A Sheiban (1989) 20 FCR 217 referred to Leslie v Graham [2002] FCA 32; EOC 93-196 referred to Melway Publishing Pty Ltd v Robert Hicks Pty Ltd (2001) 205 CLR 1 considered Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs v Guo (1997) 191 CLR 559 considered Rugema v J Gadsten Pty Ltd (HREOC H97/1) referred to Rural Press v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (2003) 203 ALR 217 considered Shiels v James (unreported, Federal Magistrate Court of Australia, Kenneth Raphael FM, 13 September 2000) quest Sydneywide Distributors Pty Ltd v Red Bull Australia Pty Ltd [2002 FCAFC 157; (2002) 55 IPR 354 referred to Thomson v Orica Pty Ltd (2002)116 IR 186 distinguished Warramunda Village Inc v Pryde (2001) 105 FCR 437 considered COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA v RACHEAL EVANS N 1469 of 2003 BRANSON J 25 MAY 2004 SYDNEY