Smith v ACN 101 390 505 Pty Ltd (in liq) [2020] FCA 940

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Smith v ACN 101 390 505 Pty Ltd (in liq) [2020] FCA 940 Appeal from: Smith v Sedgwick Callaghan Accountants Pty Ltd [2018] FCCA 3204

File number(s): QUD 874 of 2018

Judge(s): COLLIER J

Date of judgment: 7 July 2020

Catchwords: INDUSTRIAL LAW – general protections – adverse action – where appellant claimed contraventions of s 351(1) Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) and dismissal for reasons of age – where s 361 Fair Work Act creates presumption that adverse action taken for prohibited reason unless employer proves otherwise – whether primary Judge took correct approach – whether appellant required to establish prima facie case within s 361 Fair Work Act – whether Jones v Dunkel inference should be drawn in relation to specific evidence – extent to which trial Judge can assist a litigant in person – allegations of "tainted" evidence – extent to which necessary for primary Judge to refer to all evidence before Court – credit of witnesses – proper approach by appellate Court in considering appeal against findings at first instance PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – appeal unopposed – no contradictor to appellant's submissions – requirement of judicial function that Court be satisfied as to proper disposition of matter

Legislation: Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) ss 342, 351, 361(1)

Cases cited: Adler v Australian Securities and Investments Commission (2003) 179 FLR 1; [2003] NSWCA 131 AFT Pharmaceuticals (AU) Pty Limited v Reckitt Benckiser (Australia) Pty Limited (2020) 143 ACSR 522; [2020] FCAFC 45 Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Hellicar (2012) 247 CLR 345; [2012] HCA 17 Board of Bendigo Regional Institute of Technical and Further Education v Barclay [No 1] (2012) 248 CLR 500; [2012] HCA 32 Bottega Rotolo P/L v Saturno's Colonist Tavern Pty Ltd (2008) 100 SASR 1; [2008] SASC 6 Carlisle Homes Pty Ltd v Barrett Property Group Pty Ltd [2009] FCAFC 31 Celand v Skycity Adelaide Pty Ltd [2017] FCAFC 222 Fletcher Construction Australia Ltd v Lines MacFarlane & Marshall Pty Ltd (No 2) [2002] VSCA 189 Fortescue Metals Group v Warrie on behalf of the Yindjibarndi People (2019) 374 ALR 448; [2019] FCAFC 177 Fox v Percy (2003) 214 CLR 118; [2003] HCA 22 Jones v Dunkel (1959) 101 CLR 298; [1959] HCA 8 Louth v Diprose (1992) 175 CLR 621; [1992] HCA 61 Millington v Waste Wise Environmental Pty Ltd (2015) 295 FLR 301; [2015] VSC 167 N Johnson (Appellant/Husband) and M L Johnson (Cross-Appellant/Wife) [1997] FamCA 32 New Zealand v Johnston (2011) 274 ALR 509; [2011] FCAFC 2 Rajski v Scitec Corporation Pty Ltd (unreported, 16 June, 1986 (Butterworths Unreported Judgments BC8600928)) Tricarico v Dunn Bay Holdings Pty Ltd [2012] FCA 271 White v R [2017] NZCA 322