Comcare v Australian Postal Corporation [2011] FCA 530

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Comcare v Australian Postal Corporation [2011] FCA 530 Citation: Comcare v Australian Postal Corporation [2011] FCA 530

Parties: COMCARE v AUSTRALIAN POSTAL CORPORATION

File number: VID 429 of 2010

Judge: KENNY J

Date of judgment: 20 May 2011

Catchwords: INDUSTRIAL LAW – Occupational Health and Safety – penalty hearing – failure to take reasonable steps to protect health and safety – statement of agreed facts – agreed penalty and declarations as to contravention – penalty assessment ultimately for the court – principles to be applied – imposition of pecuniary penalty – declarations of contravention and award of costs considered

Legislation: Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991 (Cth) Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (Cth)

Cases cited: Comcare v Linfox Australia Pty Ltd (2010) 198 IR 160 Comcare v Post Logistics Australasia Pty Ltd (2008) 107 ALD 578 Minister for Industry, Tourism & Resources v Mobil Oil Australia Pty Ltd [2004] FCAFC 72 Comcare v Commonwealth (2007) 163 FCR 207 Comcare v Commonwealth (2009) 184 IR 441 Comcare v John Holland Rail Pty Ltd (2009) 188 IR 415 Comcare v National Gallery of Australia (2007) 98 ALD 6 DPP v Amcor Packaging Australia Pty Ltd (2005) 11 VR 557 Chugg v Pacific Dunlop Limited (1990) 170 CLR 249 Kirk v Industrial Court of New South Wales (2010) 239 CLR 531 Australian Opthalmic Supplies Pty Ltd v McAlary-Smith (2008) 165 FCR 560 CFMEU v Williams (2009) 262 ALR 417 Stuart v CFMEU (2010) 185 FCR 308 CFMEU v Cahill (2010) 194 IR 461 Australian Building & Construction Commissioner v CFMEU (No 2) (2010) 199 IR 373