Kennewell v MG & CG Atkins trading as Cardinia Waste & Recyclers [2015] FCA 716

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Kennewell v MG & CG Atkins trading as Cardinia Waste & Recyclers [2015] FCA 716 Citation: Kennewell v MG & CG Atkins trading as Cardinia Waste & Recyclers [2015] FCA 716

Parties: STEVEN KENNEWELL v MG & CG ATKINS TRADING AS CARDINIA WASTE & RECYCLERS

File number: VID 362 of 2014

Judge: TRACEY J

Date of judgment: 16 July 2015

Catchwords: INDUSTRIAL LAW – adverse action – whether employee's complaints or inquiries substantial and operative reason for dismissal – whether relief sought "appropriate" in the circumstances – reinstatement not appropriate – principles relevant to compensation under s 545(2)(b) of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) – pecuniary penalty imposed and ordered to be paid to applicant

Legislation: Industrial Relations Act 1988 (Cth) s 170EE Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) ss 340(1), 341(1)(c), 342(1), 360, 361, 545(1), 545(2), 545(2)(b), 546(1), 546(2)(b), 546(3)(c)

Cases cited: Aitken v Construction, Mining, Energy, Timberyards, Sawmills and Woodworkers Union of Australia – Western Australian Branch (1995) 63 IR 1 – cited Australian Licenced Aircraft Engineers Association v International Aviation Service Assistance Pty Ltd (2011) 193 FCR 526 – cited Board of Bendigo Regional Institute of Technical and Further Education v Barclay (2012) 248 CLR 500 – cited Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union v BHP Coal Pty Ltd [2015] FCAFC 25 – cited Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union v BHP Coal Pty Ltd (No 3) (2012) 228 IR 195 – cited Dafallah v Fair Work Commission (2014) 225 FCR 559 – cited Determination – Annual Wage Review 2012-13 [PR536708] – cited Determination – Annual Wage Review 2013-14 [PR551631] – cited Ermel v Duluxgroup (Australia) Pty Ltd (No 2) [2015] FCA 17 – cited Independent Education Union v Geelong Grammar School [2000] FCA 557 – cited Slonim v Fellows (1984) 154 CLR 505 – cited