Whelan v Cigarette & Gift Warehouse [2019] FCA 2064

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Whelan v Cigarette & Gift Warehouse [2019] FCA 2064 File number: QUD 987 of 2015

Judge: COLLIER J

Date of judgment: 13 December 2019

Catchwords: INDUSTRIAL LAW – penalty hearing – court determination of penalties to be imposed – broad discretion to determine quantum of penalties to be imposed – relevant considerations in determining appropriate penalties – whether penalty is proportionate to the offence – whether penalties should be paid to the applicant COSTS – application by both parties under s 570 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) for an award of costs – where applicant was not successful on all grounds – allegation of objectionable material – whether parties acted unreasonably – where both parties did not rely on certain witnesses at trial – withholding statutory entitlements – percentage of costs awarded on a party and party basis

Legislation: Crimes Act 1914 (Cth) – s 4AA(1) Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) – ss 12, 44, 61, 90, 324, 340, 539, 545, 546, 570 Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) – ss 37M, 37N Federal Court Rules 2011 (Cth) – rr 15.15, 16.53, 16.55, 16.56

Cases cited: Aon Risk Services Australia Ltd v Australian National University [2009] HCA 27; (2009) 239 CLR 175 Australian Building and Construction Commissioner v Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (The Bendigo Theatre Case) (No 2) [2018] FCA 1211 Australian Building and Construction Commissioner v Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union [2017] FCAFC 113; (2017) 254 FCR 68 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) v TPG Internet Pty Ltd [2013] HCA 54; (2013) 250 CLR 640 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v ABB Transmission and Distribution Ltd [2001] FCA 383; [2001] ATPR 41-815 Australian Ophthalmic Supplies Pty Ltd v McAlary-Smith [2008] FCAFC 8; (2008) 165 FCR 560 Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) v Chemeq Ltd [2006] FCA 936; (2006) 234 ALR 511 Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Southcorp Ltd (No 2) [2003] FCA 1369; (2003) 130 FCR 406 Australian Workers Union v Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd (No 2) [2013] FCAFC 23; (2013) 232 FCR 428 Baker v Patrick Projects Pty Ltd (No 2) [2014] FCAFC 166; (2014) 145 ALD 548 Cigarette & Gift Warehouse Pty Ltd v Whelan [2019] FCAFC 16 Comcare v Post Logistics Australasia Pty Limited [2012] FCAFC 168; (2012) 207 FCR 178 Commonwealth of Australia v Director, Fair Work Building Industry Inspectorate [2015] HCA 46, (2015) 258 CLR 482 Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union v Australian Building and Construction Commissioner (The Non-Indemnification Personal Payment Case) [2018] FCAFC 97 Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union v Australian Building and Construction Commissioner (The Broadway on Ann Case) [2018] FCAFC 126 Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union v Corinthian Industries (Australia) Pty Ltd (No 2) [2014] FCA 351 Council of Kangan Batman Institute of Technology and Further Education v Australian Industrial Relations Commission [2006] FCAFC 199; (2006) 156 FCR 275 Director of Fair Work Building Industry Inspectorate v Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union [2015] FCA 1213 Director of the Fair Work Building Industry Inspectorate v Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (No 2) [2015] FCA 1462 Fair Work Ombudsman v Wongtas Pty Ltd (No 2) [2012] FCA 30 Flight Centre Ltd v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (No 2) [2018] FCAFC 53; (2018) 356 ALR 389 Imogen Pty Ltd v Sangwin (1996) 70 IR 254 John Holland Pty Ltd v Maritime Union of Australia (No 2) [2010] FCA 110; (2010) 192 IR 431 Kanan v Australian Postal and Telecommunications Union (1992) 43 IR 257 Kelly v Fitzpatrick [2007] FCA 1080; (2007) 166 IR 14 Macushla Pty Ltd (Trading as Sunnytop Bakery Ciabatta Della Nonna) v El Souki [2019] FCA 643 Mason v Harrington Corporation Pty Ltd [2007] FMCA 7 McIver v Healey [2008] FCA 425 National Tertiary Education Industry Union v Swinburne University of Technology [2013] FCA 1128 Pettit v Evolution Mining Ltd [2016] FCA 1304 Plancor Pty Ltd v Liqor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union [2008] FCAFC 170; (2008) 171 FCR 357 Ponzio v B & P Caelli Constructions Pty Ltd [2007] FCAFC 65; (2007) 158 FCR 543 R v Moore; Ex parte Federated Miscellaneous Workers Union of Australia (1978) 140 CLR 470; (1978) 53 ALJR 116 Ryan v Primesafe [2015] FCA 8; (2015) 323 ALR 107 Saxena v PPF Asset Management Ltd [2011] FCA 395 Sayed v Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union [2016] FCAFC 4; (2016) 239 FCR 336 Seymour v Stawell Timber Industries Pty Ltd [1985] FCA 368; (1985) 9 FCR 241 Singtel Optus Pty Ltd v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission [2012] FCAFC 20; (2012) 287 ALR 249 Spotless Services Australia Ltd v Senior Deputy President Jeanette Marsh [2004] FCAFC 155 Stuart-Mahoney v Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union [2008] FCA 1426; (2008) 177 IR 61 Trade Practices Commission v CSR Ltd [1990] FCA 521; (1991) ATPR 41-076 Trustee for The MTGI Trust v Johnston (No 2) [2016] FCAFC 190 Veen v The Queen [No 2] [1988] HCA 14; 164 CLR 465 Vehicle Builders Employees Federation of Australia v General Motors Holdens Pty Ltd (1977) 32 FLR 100 Whelan v Cigarette & Gift Warehouse Pty Ltd [2017] FCA 1534; (2017) 275 IR 285 WorkPac Pty Ltd v Skene [2018] FCAFC 131; (2018) 264 FCR 536