Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union v Hail Creek Coal Pty Ltd (No. 2) [2016] FCA 727

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union v Hail Creek Coal Pty Ltd (No. 2) [2016] FCA 727 File number: QUD 480 of 2014

Judge: LOGAN J

Date of judgment: 22 June 2016

Catchwords: INDUSTRIAL LAW – construction of enterprise agreement – whether respondent's employees covered by enterprise agreement entitled to unlimited sick leave – whether respondent contravened enterprise agreement by refusing to provide employees access to paid sick leave – whether respondent contravened s 50 Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) – proper construction of sick leave clause when read in context and with business common sense – respondent contravened enterprise agreement INDUSTRIAL LAW – penalty – imposition of civil penalty – whether single course of conduct engaged in by respondent – single contravention pursuant to s 557(1) Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) Legislation: Crimes Act 1914 (Cth) s 4AA Evidence Act 1995 (Cth) s 69(1), 69(2), 69(3), 140, 190(3) Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) ss 50, 539, 539(1), 539(2), 546, 546(2), 546(3), 557, 557(1), 557(3) Workplace Relations Act 1996 (Cth) s 719(2)

Cases cited: Australian Ophthalmic Suppliers v McAlary-Smith (2008) 165 FCR 560 Briginshaw v Briginshaw (1938) 60 CLR 336 Commonwealth v Director, Fair Work Building Industry Inspectorate (2015) 90 ALJR 113 Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia v QR Limited (No 2) [2010] FCA 652 Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union v North Goonyella Coal Mine Pty Ltd [2013] FCA 1444 Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union v Hail Creek Coal Pty Ltd [2015] FCAFC 149 Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union v Hail Creek Coal Pty Ltd [2015] FCA 532 Cruse v Multiplex Ltd (2008) 172 FCR 279 Director, Fair Work Building Industry Inspectorate v Cradden [2015] FCA 614 Fair Work Ombudsman v Ramsey Food Processing Pty Ltd (No 2) [2012] FCA 408 Kelly v Fitzpatrick [2007] FCA 1080; (2007) 166 IR 14 Mason v Harrington Corporation Pty Ltd [2007] FMCA 7 Moreton Bay Regional Council v Mekpine Pty Ltd (2016) 90 ALJR 420 Murrihy v Betezy.com.au Pty Ltd (No 2) (2013) 221 FCR 118 Plancor Pty Ltd v Liquor Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union (2008) 171 FCR 357 QR Limited v Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia (2010) 204 IR 142 Re Request from the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations—28 March 2008 – Award Modernisation Statement (AM2008/25-63) (2009) 187 IR 192 Rocky Holdings Pty Ltd v Fair Work Ombudsman (2014) 221 FCR 153 Sayed v Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union [2016] FCAFC 4