Darren James Anderson v Northern Co-operative Meat Company Pty Ltd (NCMC - Butchering Pty Ltd) [2004] NSWIRComm 300

Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales

CITATION : Darren James Anderson v Northern Co-operative Meat Company Pty Ltd (NCMC - Butchering Pty Ltd) [2004] NSWIRComm 300 Applicant: PARTIES : Darren James Anderson Respondent: Northern Co-operative Meat Company Pty Limited (NCMC - Butchering Pty Ltd) FILE NUMBER: IRC 5024 of 2004 CORAM: Walton J Vice-President; Backman J; O'Neill C CATCHWORDS : Appeal from decision of Commissioner - Leave to appeal - Unfair dismissal under section 84 Industrial Relations Act 1996 - Incorrect application of the statutory test - Harsh, unreasonable or unjust - Applicable principles in relation to reinstatement and re-employment under section 89 Industrial Relations Act 1996 - Failure to follow proper procedures - Failure to ask correct question - Incumbent upon employer to make independent inquiries as to whether appellant able to continue in employment on modified duties or otherwise unfit to continue in employment - Errors of law and principle - Appeal upheld - Order for reinstatement made Industrial Relations Act 1996 LEGISLATION CITED : Industrial Relations Act 1991 Occupational Health & Safety Act 2000 Workers Compensation Act 1987 Patterson v Newcrest Mining Ltd (1996) 68 IR 419 Antonakopoulos v State Bank of New South Wales (1999) 91 IR 385 Mason v Electricity Commission of NSW (1995) 62 IR 436 Entertainment Distributors Company Pty Limited and Anor v Burnard and Ors (1993) 49 IR 446 Metropolitan Meat Industry Board v Australasian Meat Industry Employees' Union New South Wales (1973) AR 231 CASES CITED : Byrne v Australian Airlines Limited (1995) 185 CLR 410 Hollingsworth v Commissioner of Police (No 2) (1999) 47 NSWLR 151 IGA Distribution Pty Ltd v Moses (No 2) (2002) 114 IR 307 Commonwealth Steel Company Ltd v Ward (unreported IRC 93/3144 16 December 1994) Effem Foods Pty Limited t/as Uncle Ben's of Australia v Urban (1998) 81 IR 341 Price v Box Valley Pty Limited (1999) 90 IR 480 HEARING DATES: 10/05/2004 DATE OF JUDGMENT: 11/18/2004