Minebiz Pty Ltd v Codey [2015] FCA 372

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Minebiz Pty Ltd v Codey [2015] FCA 372 Citation: Minebiz Pty Ltd v Codey [2015] FCA 372

Appeal from: Codey v Minebiz Pty Ltd (Local Court of New South Wales, No. 2013/356509, 12 August 2014)

Parties: MINEBIZ PTY LTD v SCOTT CODEY

File number(s): NSD 901 of 2014

Judge(s): BUCHANAN J

Date of judgment: 24 April 2015

Catchwords: INDUSTRIAL LAW – appeal from Local Court of New South Wales under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) – allegation of underpayment of wages under an enterprise agreement – whether employee correctly classified under the enterprise agreement as a 'Surface Operator' – whether classification structure in enterprise agreement is referrable to classifications set out in the Mining Industry Award 2010 – whether respondent discharged onus of proof to show relevant employment designation as an 'Underground Mine Employee'

Legislation: Evidence Act 1995 (Cth), s 140(2) Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), ss 54(1)(a), 189, 546, 570 Mining Industry Award 2010 (Cth), cll 1, 2.1, 4.1, 4.2, 13, 13.1(a), 13.1(b), 14.2(a), Sch B.1.2, B.2.2, B.2.4, B.3, B.3.3 Minebiz Pty Ltd Enterprise Agreement 2010, cll 2.4, 2.5, 3.1, 4.1, Sch 1

Cases cited: Abalos v Australian Postal Commission (1990) 171 CLR 167 Bell IXL Investments Ltd v Life Therapeutics Ltd (2008) 68 ACSR 154 Bradshaw v McEwans Pty Ltd (1951) 217 ALR 1 Cabal v United Mexican States (2001) 108 FCR 311 Devries v Australian National Railways Commission (1993) 177 CLR 472 Luxton v Vines (1952) 85 CLR 352 State Rail Authority of New South Wales v Earthline Constructions Pty Ltd (in liq) (1999) 73 ALJR 306; (1999) 160 ALR 588 Tisdall v Webber (2011) 193 FCR 260 Warren v Coombes (1979) 142 CLR 531