Hadgkiss v Sunland Constructions Pty Ltd [2007] FCA 346

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Hadgkiss v Sunland Constructions Pty Ltd [2007] FCA 346

WORKPLACE RELATIONS – freedom of association – employees free to join or not join industrial associations – meaning of "industrial association", "organisation" and "constitutional corporation" – whether false or misleading statement made about employee's obligation to join union – whether proof of intention required – whether union liable for conduct – whether conduct by an officer of an organisation – application of "directing mind" principle – whether agent acting with apparent authority – constitutional corporation – whether conduct adversely affected constitutional corporation PRACTICE & PROCEDURE – standard of proof - whether civil standard of proof applies EVIDENCE – reliability of witnesses WORDS & PHRASES – "industrial association" – "organisation" – 'constitutional corporation'

Statutes Evidence Act 1995 (Cth) s 140(2) Federal Court Act 1976 (Cth) s 21(1) Workplace Relations Act 1996 (Cth) ss 4, 298H, 298B, 298C, 298D, 298E, 298F, 298G, 298SC, 298T, 298U, 298V

Cases Australian Workers' Union v BHP Iron-Ore Pty Ltd [2001] 106 FCR 482 Cited Briginshaw v Briginshaw (1938) 60 CLR 336 Cited Employment Advocate v Williamson (2001) 111 FCR 20; [2001] FCA 1164 Considered Neat Holdings Pty Ltd v Karajan Holdings Pty Ltd (1992) 67 ALJR 170 Considered Rowe v Transport Workers' Union of Australia (1998) 90 FCR 95 Discussed Rural Press Ltd v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (2003) 216 CLR 53 Cited Tesco Supermarkets Ltd v Nattras [1972] AC 153 Cited NIGEL CLIVE HADGKISS v SUNLAND CONSTRUCTIONS PTY LTD, SAEID ESHRAGHI, CONSTRUCTION FORESTRY MINING AND ENERGY UNION, CONSTRUCTION FORESTRY MINING AND ENERGY INDUSTRIAL UNION OF EMPLOYEES QUEENSLAND AND DANNY MICHAEL OSKAM QUD 546 OF 2005