Heldberg v Rand Transport (1986) Pty Ltd [2018] FCA 1141

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Heldberg v Rand Transport (1986) Pty Ltd [2018] FCA 1141 File number: SAD 255 of 2017

Judge: WHITE J

Date of judgment: 2 August 2018

Catchwords: INDUSTRIAL LAW – claim for damages for breach of employment contract – interpretation of employment contract – claim for an additional severance payment – claim for incentive scheme payments – claim relating to implied term of reasonable notice – whether s 117 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) precludes the implication of a term requiring reasonable notice of termination into an employment contract – judgment in favour of Applicant with respect to some incentive scheme payments only. CONSUMER LAW – misleading or deceptive conduct claim – whether the Applicant can establish that he suffered loss – claim dismissed.

Legislation: Australian Consumer Law ss 18, 31, 236 Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) ss 93, 94, 117, 119 Fair Work Bill 2008 (Cth) Long Service Leave Act 1987 (SA) s 7(3)

Cases cited: Abbott v Women's and Children's Hospital Inc [2003] SASC 145; (2003) 86 SASR 1 Abbott v Women's and Children's Hospital Inc [2004] SASC 67 Balanced Securities Ltd v Dumayne Property Group Pty Ltd [2017] VSCA 61; (2016) 53 VR 14 Black v Brimbank City Council (1998) 77 IR 405 Brackenridge v Toyota Motor Corporation Australia Ltd (1996) 67 IR 162 Brambles Ltd v Wail [2002] VSCA 150; (2002) 5 VR 169 Brennan v Kangaroo Island Council [2013] SASCFC 151; (2013) 120 SASR 11 Bropho v State of Western Australia (1990) 171 CLR 1 Byrne v Australian Airlines Ltd (1995) 185 CLR 410 Cohen v iSoft Group Pty Ltd [2012] FCA 1071 Cohen v iSoft Group Pty Ltd [2013] FCAFC 49; (2013) 298 ALR 516 Commissioner of Taxation of the Commonwealth of Australia v Sara Lee Household & Body Care (Australia) Pty Ltd [2000] HCA 35; (2000) 201 CLR 520 Commonwealth Bank of Australia v Barker [2014] HCA 32; (2014) 253 CLR 169 Commonwealth v Amann Aviation Pty Ltd (1991) 174 CLR 64 Concut Pty Ltd v Worrell [2000] HCA 64; (2000) 176 ALR 693 Elliott v Kodak Australasia Pty Ltd [2001] FCA 807; (2001) 108 IR 23 Energy World Corporation Ltd v Maurice Hayes & Associates Pty Ltd [2007] FCAFC 34; (2007) 239 ALR 457 Fryar v System Services Pty Ltd (1996) 137 ALR 321 Grout v Gunnedah Shire Council (No 3) (1995) 129 ALR 372; (1995) 59 IR 248 Guthrie v News Ltd [2010] VSC 196; (2010) 27 VR 196 Haley v Public Transport Corporation (1998) 119 IR 242 Kilminster v Sun Newspapers Ltd (1931) 46 CLR 284 Kuczmarski v Ascot Administration Pty Ltd [2016] SADC 65; (2016) 259 IR 233 Macauslane v Fisher & Paykel Finance Pty Ltd [2002] QCA 282; (2002) 1 Qd R 503 McGowan v Direct Mail and Marketing Pty Ltd [2016] FCCA 2227; (2016) 313 FLR 370 Pappas v P&R Electrical Pty Ltd [2016] SADC 132 Re Four Yearly Review of Modern Awards – Annual Leave [2015] FWCFB 3406; (2015) 250 IR 119 Re Four Yearly Review of Modern Awards – Annual Leave [2016] FWCFB 3177; (2016) 257 IR 368 Reynolds v Southcorp Wines Pty Ltd [2002] FCA 712; (2002) 122 FCR 301 Riverwood International Australia Pty Ltd v McCormick [2000] FCA 889; (2000) 177 ALR 193 Tallerman & Co Pty Ltd v Nathan's Merchandise (Vic) Pty Ltd (1957) 98 CLR 93 Toll (FGCT) Pty Ltd v Alphapharm Pty Ltd [2004] HCA 52; (2004) 219 CLR 165 Viva Olives Pty Ltd v Origin Olives Australasia Pty Ltd [2012] FCA 545 Westpac Banking Corporation v Wittenberg [2016] FCAFC 33; (2016) 242 FCR 505 Work Choices Case [2006] HCA 52; (2006) 229 CLR 1 Beale HG, Chitty on Contracts (Sweet & Maxwell, 28th ed, 1999) Sappideen C, O'Grady P, Riley J, Macken's Law of Employment (Lawbook, 8th ed, 2016)