Woodside Energy Limited v Australian Workers' Union [2022] FCA 1391

Federal Court of Australia

Woodside Energy Limited v Australian Workers' Union [2022] FCA 1391 File number: WAD 233 of 2022

Judgment of: KATZMANN J

Date of judgment: 23 November 2022

Catchwords: PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – application for interlocutory injunction to restrain Fair Work Commission from taking any further steps in an application for a majority support determination pending hearing and determination of application for judicial review under s 39B of Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth) – where application is in the nature of a stay of proceedings, what is the appropriate test – whether applicant has a strong case — whether exceptional circumstances have been shown

Legislation: Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) ss 21, 23 Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) ss 171, 173(2)(b), 228, 237, 459(1)(d), 590, 606 Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth) s 39B High Court Rules 2004 O 55 r 10

Cases cited: Australian Broadcasting Corporation v O'Neill (2006) 227 CLR 57 Australian Workers' Union v Woodside Energy Ltd [2022] FWC 1892 Australian Workers' Union v Woodside Energy Ltd [2022] FWC 2236 Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union v ALS Industrial Australia Pty Ltd (2015) 235 FCR 305 Bellia v Commissioner of Fair Work Australia (2010) 201 IR 111 Cabal v United Mexican States [2001] HCA 42; 180 ALR 593 Cabcharge Australia Ltd v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission [2010] FCAFC 111 CNY17 v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection (2019) 268 CLR 76 Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union v Eco Recyclers Pty Ltd [2013] FCA 24 DJL v The Central Authority (2000) 201 CLR 226 Ebner v Official Trustee in Bankruptcy (2000) 205 CLR 337 EnergyAustralia Yallourn Pty Ltd v Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union [2013] FCA 360 Hossain v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection (2018) 264 CLR 123 Isbester v Knox City Council (2015) 255 CLR 135 Jackson v Sterling Industries Limited (1987) 162 CLR 612 Michael Wilson & Partners Ltd v Nicholls (2011) 244 CLR 427 Minister for Immigration and Border Protection v SZMTA (2019) 264 CLR 421 Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs v Jia Legeng (2001) 205 CLR 507 MZAPC v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection [2021] HCA 17; 95 ALJR 441; 390 ALR 590 National Road Transport Association Ltd v Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal [2016] FCAFC 56 National Union of Workers v Lovisa Pty Ltd (No2) [2019] FWC 285 Newcrest Mining Limited v Industrial Relations Commission (NSW) [2005] NSWCA 85; 139 IR 72 Oakey Coal Action Alliance Inc v New Acland Coal Pty Ltd (2021) 272 CLR 33 One Tree Community Services Inc v United Voice [2019] FCA 1309 R v Commonwealth Conciliation and Arbitration Commission; Ex parte The Angliss Group (1969) 122 CLR 546 Re Australian Nursing Federation; Ex parte State of Victoria (1993) 112 ALR 177 Re Griffin; Ex parte Professional Radio and Electronics Institute of Australia (1988) 167 CLR 37 Re JRL; Ex parte CJL (1986) 161 CLR 342 Re Marks and Federated Ironworkers' Association; Ex parte Australian Building Construction Employees and Building Labourers' Foundation (1981) 34 ALR 208 Re Moore; Ex parte Pillar (1991) 103 ALR 11 ResMed Ltd v Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (2015) 243 FCR 332 Rockdale Beef Pty Ltd v Industrial Relations Commission [2005] NSWCA 369 Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees v National Retail Association [2011] FCA 1167 Technical and Further Education Commission v Pykett (No 1) [2014] FCA 727 Vakauta v Kelly (1989) 167 CLR 568 Woodside Energy Ltd v Australian Workers' Union [2022] FWCFB 192 Woodside Energy Ltd v The Australian Workers' Union [2022] FWCFB 168