Gregory v G James Australia Pty Ltd [1997] IRCA 178

DECISION NO:178/97 CATCHWORDS

INDUSTRIAL LAW - TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT - NO VALID REASON - Applicant's employment terminated without notice, and, in part, for the reason that he had acted as a representative of employees - The decision to terminate his employment cannot, therefore, be justified, and was not, therefore, for a VALID REASON - Breach of section 170DF(1) (d) of the Workplace Relations Act, 1996 - Summary dismissal - NO OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND TO ALLEGATIONS - Section 170DC of the Act not complied with - REINSTATEMENT ordered - REINSTATEMENT is the primary remedy for an unlawful termination of employment, and should be ordered, unless it is IMPRACTICABLE so to do - Discussion of the meaning of "IMPRACTICABLE"

Workplace Relations Act, 1996: sections 170DC, 170DE(1), 170DF(1), 170EE (1) and (2), 170EHA.

APESMA v Deniliguin Council, Industrial Relations Court of Australia, Moore J, 14 December 1995, unreported. Mitchell Collins v La Trobe Council (1995) 60 IR 480. Carydias v The Greek Othodox Community, Industrial Relations Court of Australia, North J, 20 February 1997, unreported. Cox v Australian Meat Corporation Pty Ltd, Industrial Relations Court of Australia, von Doussa J, 14 June 1995, unreported. Ferry v Minister for Health, Western Australia Industrial Relations Court of Australia, Marshall J, 25 August 1995, unreported. Johns v Gunns Ltd, 1995, 60 IR 258. Abbott Hetherington v Houghton Motors Industrial Relations Court of Australia, Marshall J, 28 September 1995, unreported. Kenefick v Australian Submarine Corporation Ltd (No.2) (1996) 65 IR 366. Kozelj v Kellogg (Aust) Pty Ltd, Industrial Relations Court of Australia, Wilcox CJ, 26 July 1996, unreported. Nettlefold v Kym Smoker Pty Ltd, Industrial Relations Court of Australia, Lee J, 4 October 1996, unreported. Nicolson v Heaven and Earth Gallery Pty Ltd (1994) 1 IRCR 199. Patterson v Newcrest Mining Ltd, Industrial Relations Court of Australia, Marshall J, 21 December 1995, unreported. Thomas v Ralph Lynch t/as Bellingen Grocery, Industrial Relations Court of Australia, Wilcox CJ, 20 December 1996, unreported. Gerard Westen v Union des Assurances de Paris, Industrial Relations Court of Australia, Madgwick J, 17 December 1996, unreported. Wilson v IPC Corporation Industrial Relations Court of Australia, Moore J, 8 December 1995, unreported.