Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (New South Wales Branch) on behalf of Scott Anthony Elwell and Cobar Mining Services Pty Ltd and Anor [2004] NSWIRComm 32

Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales

CITATION : Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (New South Wales Branch) on behalf of Scott Anthony Elwell and Cobar Mining Services Pty Ltd and Anor [2004] NSWIRComm 32 APPLICANT/ NOTIFIER (Matter 3633, 3634/03) Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (New South Wales Branch) on behalf of Scott Anthony Elwell RESPONDENT (Matter 3633, 3634/03) PARTIES : Cobar Mining Services Pty Ltd SECOND RESPONDENT (Matter 3634/03) Cobar Management Pty Ltd

FILE NUMBER: 3633, 3634 of 2003 CORAM: Sams DP Industrial dispute - Broken Hill mining industry - allegations of victimisation - injured worker - application for reinstatement - jurisdiction of the Commission - non tradesperson's duties - workplace accidents - workers' compensation - rehabilitation - directive not to employ non tradespersons - whether applicant dismissed because of injury or for reasons of redundancy - reinstatement sought - alternative employment opportunities - procedural fairness - warning and consultation. CATCHWORDS : Held, applicant an injured worker as defined - failure to call evidence - Jones v Dunkel inference - expression "substantial and operative cause" should not be read down - applicant dismissed for reasons of his injury - no warning of dismissal - no consultation on alternative options - applicant denied procedural fairness - reinstatement not impractical - parties to confer as to the nature and timing of reinstatement - orders made for back pay and no loss of continuity - liberty to apply - dispute notification dismissed - proceedings otherwise concluded. LEGISLATION CITED : Industrial Relations Act 1996 Australian Workers' Union v Pioneer Concrete (NSW) Pty Ltd (1991) 38 IR 365 Banning v Great Lakes Council [2002] NSWIRComm 47 Cannon v LEP International Pty Ltd (1998) 83 IR 415 CFMEU on behalf of O'Dwyer and Another v Pasminco Limited (Administrator Appointed) [2002] NSWIRComm 300 Commonwealth Steel Co Ltd v Ward (unreported, IRC3144 of 1993, Hill, Hungerford JJ and Shiels C, 16 December 1994) Fabros v Hotel Intercontinental Sydney (1993) 53 IR 193 IGA Distribution Pty Ltd v Moses (No 2) (2002) 114 IR 307 CASES CITED : Jones v Dunkel (1959) 101 CLR 298 Mikasa (NSW) Pty Ltd v Festival Stores (1972) 127 CLR 617 Orange City Bowling Club Limited v Federated Liquor and Allied Industries Employees' Union of Australia, New South Wales Branch (1979) AR 90 Silaphet & Ors v South Western Sydney Area Health Service (1998) 80 IR 365