Roebuck v Shopping Centres Australasia Property Group Re Limited [2024] FCA 503

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Roebuck v Shopping Centres Australasia Property Group Re Limited [2024] FCA 503 File number: WAD 220 of 2022

Judgment of: FEUTRILL J

Date of judgment: 15 May 2024

Catchwords: INDUSTRIAL LAW – originating process for alleged contravention of modern award (Real Estate Industry Award 2020) and misrepresentations contrary to sections 45 and 345 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) – determination of separate questions on agreed facts – where employee employed as Regional Leasing Manager – where contract of employment includes duty statement – where contract of employment contained purported 'guarantee of annual earnings' – whether employee was covered by the Award under s 48(1) of the Act – whether the Award applied to the employee under s 47(1) of the Act – whether at time of termination of employment employee was a high income employee under s 329 of the Act – consideration of meaning of 'guarantee of annual earnings for the guaranteed period' in s 329(1)(a) of the Act – whether on the proper consideration of the contract of employment there was an identifiable 'guarantee period' within the meaning of s 331 of the Act

Legislation: Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (Cth) ss 15AA, 15AB Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) ss 3, 12, 43, 45, 46(1), 46(2), 47, 47(1), 47(2), 48, 48(1), 48(4), 328(1), 328(2), 328(3), 329, 329(1), 329(1)(a), 329(1)(b), 329(1)(c), 329(3), 330(1)(a), 330(1)(b), 330(1)(c), 330(1)(d), 330(2), 330(3), 331, 333, 333(1), 345, 539(1), 539(2) items 2, 10; Ch 2, Div 3, Ptt 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-9 Fair Work Regulations 2009 (Cth) reg 2.13(3)

Cases cited: Ansett Australia Limited (subject to Deed of Company Arrangement) v Australian Licenced Aircraft Engineers' Association [2003] FCAFC 209 Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers Australia v Peabody Energy Australia Coal Pty Ltd [2022] FCA 945; (2022) 318 IR 113 Australian Broadcasting Commission v Australasian Performing Right Association Ltd [1973] HCA 36; (1973) 129 CLR 99 Australian Communication Exchange Ltd v Deputy Commissioner of Taxation [2003] HCA 55; (2003) 77 ALJR 1806 Bis Industries Limited v Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union [2021] FCA 1374 Carpenter v Corona Manufacturing Pty Ltd (2002) 122 IR 387 CIC Insurance Ltd v Bankstown Football Club Ltd [1997] HCA 2; (1997) 187 CLR 384 City of Wanneroo v Australian Municipal, Administrative, Clerical and Services Union [2006] FCA 813; (2006) 153 IR 426 Commissioner of Taxation v Consolidated Media Holdings Ltd [2012] HCA 55; (2012) 250 CLR 503 Commonwealth Bank of Australia v Barker [2014] HCA 32; (2014) 253 CLR 169 Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia v Excelior Pty Ltd [2013] FCA 638 Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union v Personnel Contracting Pty Ltd [2022] HCA 1; (2022) 275 CLR 165 Electricity Generation Corporation t/as Verve Energy v Woodside Energy Ltd [2014] HCA 7; (2014) 251 CLR 640 Fitzgerald v Masters [1956] HCA 53; (1956) 95 CLR 420 Kucks v CSR Limited [1996] IRCA 141; (1996) 66 IR 182 Mount Bruce Mining Pty Ltd v Wright Prospecting Pty Ltd [2015] HCA 37; (2015) 256 CLR 104 NSW Trains v Australian Rail, Tram and Bus Industry Union [2021] FCA 883; (2021) 174 ALD 521 Pacific Carriers Ltd v BNP Paribas [2004] HCA 35; (2004) 218 CLR 451 Putland v Royans Wagga Pty Limited [2017] FCA 910 Robinson v BMF Pty Ltd (in liq) (No 2) [2022] FCA 1191 Swissport Australia Pty Ltd v Australian Municipal Administrative Clerical and Services Union (No 3) [2019] FCA 37; (2019) 284 IR 97 Toll (FGCT) Pty Ltd v Alphapharm Pty Ltd [2004] HCA 52; (2004) 219 CLR 165 Wilkie v Gordian Runoff Ltd [2005] HCA 17; (2005) 221 CLR 522