Comcare v John Holland Pty Ltd [2015] FCA 388

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Comcare v John Holland Pty Ltd [2015] FCA 388 Citation: Comcare v John Holland Pty Ltd [2015] FCA 388

Parties: COMCARE v JOHN HOLLAND PTY LTD (ACN 004 282 268)

File number: QUD 778 of 2013

Judge: COLLIER J

Date of judgment: 23 April 2015

Catchwords: INDUSTRIAL LAW – Occupational Health and Safety – statement of agreed facts – agreement by respondent concerning contravention of legislation – failure of respondent to take reasonable steps to protect health and safety – injury of employee – agreed penalty and declarations as to contravention – penalty assessment ultimately for the court – relevant principles to be applied – mitigating factors including contrition – not systemic failure of safety standards – comparable cases – imposition of pecuniary penalty – declarations of contravention – award of costs considered

Legislation: Federal Court Act 1976 (Cth) s 21 Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991 (Cth) ss 16(1), 16(2), 16(2)(a)(i), 16(2)(b)(i), 16(2)(c), 16(2)(e)

Cases cited: Barbaro v The Queen (2014) 88 ALJR 372 Comcare v Australian Postal Corporation [2011] FCA 530 Comcare v Australian Postal Corporation [2011] FCA 1533 Comcare v Commonwealth of Australia (2007) 163 FCR 207 Comcare v John Holland Pty Ltd [2014] FCA 1191 Comcare v Linfox Australia Pty Ltd [2015] FCA 61 Comcare v Post Logistics Australasia Pty Ltd (2012) 207 FCR 178 Comcare v Transpacific Industries Pty Ltd [2014] FCA 1420 Mornington Inn Pty Ltd v Jordan (2008) 168 FCR 383 Thiess Pty Ltd and Hochtief AG v Industrial Court of New South Wales (2010) 205 IR 263