Telstra Corporation Ltd v Smith [2008] FCA 1859

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Telstra Corporation Ltd v Smith [2008] FCA 1859

ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – procedural fairness – whether requirement to give prior notice of adverse findings – whether applicant denied right to be heard – extent of right to be heard determined by legislative provision – matter of fact – applicant had legal representation – applicant corresponded with decision-maker – no breach STATUTORY INTERPRETATION – definitions not treated as substantive provisions – use of objects clauses – departing from ordinary meaning of words OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY – meaning of 'workplace' – fact specific consideration – site principal purpose was for company's undertaking – site at all times a workplace

Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (Cth) s 25D Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975 (Cth) s 43(2B) Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991 (Cth) s 5, s 17, s 41, s 42, s 43, s 46, s 47, s 48, s 53, s 53(1), s 53(2), s 53(4), s 68 Occupational Health and Safety Act 1983 (NSW) s 16 Occupational Health and Safety (Safety Arrangements) Regulations 1994 r 37A

Annetts v McCann (1990) 170 CLR 596 cited Asiamet (No 1) Resources Pty Ltd v Federal Commissioner of Taxation (2003) 196 ALR 692 applied Brinsmead v Commissioner, Tweed Shire Council Public Inquiry (2007) 69 NSWLR 438 cited Commissioner for the Australian Capital Territory Revenue v Alphaone Pty Ltd (1994) 49 FCR 576 applied Director of Public Prosecutions v Esso Australia Pty Ltd [2001] VSC 103 cited Gill v Donald Humberstone & Co Ltd [1963] 3 AII ER 180 cited Hoffman La Roche v Trade Secretary [1975] AC 295 applied Inspector Campbell v James Gordon Hitchcock [2004] NSWIRComm 87 distinguished Inspector Clarke v WL Meinhardt & Partners Pty Ltd (unreported, Fisher CJ, 30 June 1992) distinguished Kiao v West (1985) 159 CLR 550 applied Mills v Meeking (1990) 169 CLR 214 applied Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs v Yusuf (2001) 206 CLR 323 applied Mobil Oil Australia Pty Ltd v Federal Commissioner of Taxation (1963) 113 CLR 475 applied National Companies & Securities Commission v News Corp Ltd (1984) 156 CLR 296 applied Project Blue Sky v Australian Broadcasting Authority (1998) 194 CLR 355 cited Re Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs; Ex parte Lam (2003) 214 CLR 1 cited Salemi v MacKellar (No 2) (1977) 137 CLR 396 cited Tsougranis v Inspector Carmody (No 2) [2006] NSWIRC 133 distinguished WAJH v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs [2003] FCA 935 distinguished WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Maltby) v AGL Gas Networks Limited [2003] NSWIRComm 370 distinguished WorkCover Authority of NSW (Inspector Paine) v Boral John Perry Industries Pty Limited t/as Boral Elevators (unreported, Industrial Relations Commission NSW, Maidment J, 8 August 1996) distinguished WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Hughes) v Boral Montaro Pty Limited (unreported, Peterson J, 19 December 1997) distinguished Wu v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (2002) 123 FCR 23 distinguished Wyong Shire Council v Shirt (1980) 146 CLR 40 cited