WorkCover Authority of NSW (Inspector Maltby) v State Rail Authority of New South Wales & Ors [2000] NSWIRComm 170

Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales in Court Session

CITATION : WorkCover Authority of NSW (Inspector Maltby) v State Rail Authority of New South Wales & Ors [2000] NSWIRComm 170 Matter Number IRC 5431 of 1999

PROSECUTOR: WorkCover Authority of NSW (Inspector Maltby)

DEFENDANT/APPLICANT ON MOTION: State Rail Authority of New South Wales _______________________________________

Matter Numbers IRC 5460 - 5466 of 1999

PROSECUTOR: WorkCover Authority of NSW (Inspector Mansell)

DEFENDANT/APPLICANT ON MOTION: TMG International Pty Limited _______________________________________

Matter Numbers IRC 5468 - 5471 of 1999

PROSECUTOR: PARTIES : WorkCover Authority of NSW (Inspector Mansell)

DEFENDANT/APPLICANT ON MOTION: Ove Arup Consult Pty Limited _______________________________________

Matter Numbers IRC 5472 - 5477 of 1999

PROSECUTOR: WorkCover Authority of NSW (Inspector Mansell)

DEFENDANT/APPLICANT ON MOTION: Arup Partner Pty Limited _______________________________________

Matter Numbers IRC 5478 - 5483 of 1999

PROSECUTOR: WorkCover Authority of NSW (Inspector Mansell)

DEFENDANT/APPLICANT ON MOTION: Ove Arup Pty Limited FILE NUMBER: 5431, 5460, 5461, 5462, 5463, 5464, 5465, 5466, 5467, 5468, 5469, 5470, 5471, 5472, 5473, 5474, 5475, 5477, 5478, 5479, 5480, 5481, 5482, 5483 of 1999 CORAM: Schmidt J Occupational Health and Safety - notices of motion seeking dismissal of prosecutions - prosecutions commenced after expiration of limitation period - proper construction of s49 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1983 - whether prosecutor failed to comply with the requirements of Rule 219 of the Commission's Rules - effect of s170 of the Industrial Relations Act 1996 - requirements of s4 of the Supreme Court (Summary Jurisdiction) Act 1967 - proceedings not a nullity- prosecutor ordered to provide particulars of matters relied on in accordance with s49(4) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1983 - proceedings stood over - orders under s4 of the Supreme Court (Summary Jurisdiction) Act 1967 to be further considered CATCHWORDS : Practice and procedure - Rule 219 of the Commission's Rules and s170 of the Industrial Relations Act 1996 - proceedings not a nullity - discretion to order particulars exercised Occupational Health and Safety Act 1983 Industrial Relations Act 1996 Industrial Relations Commission Rules LEGISLATION CITED : Supreme Court (Summary Jurisdiction) Act 1967 WorkCover Legislation Amendment Act 1995 Coroners Act 1980 Industrial Arbitration Act 1940 Page v Walco Hoist Rentals Pty Limited (1999) 87 IR 286 Ridge Consolidated Pty Ltd v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Mauger) [2000] NSWIRComm 151 Stanton v Abernathy (1990) 19 NSWLR 656 CASES CITED : Campbell v Broken Hill Proprietary Ltd [1960] AR 593 Ex parte Qantas Airways Ltd, Re Horsington (1969) 14 FLR 415 Electronic Rentals Pty Ltd v Anderson (1971) 124 CLR 27 Smith v Corrective Services Commission of NSW (1980) 147 CLR 134 HEARING DATES: 06/21/2000; 06/23/2000; 08/21/2000 DATE OF JUDGMENT: 08/29/2000