Workers Compensation (Dust Diseases) Authority v Cunha [2017] NSWCA 111

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Workers Compensation (Dust Diseases) Authority v Cunha [2017] NSWCA 111 Hearing dates: 18 April 2017 Decision date: 25 May 2017 Before: Meagher JA at [1]; Leeming JA at [2]; Simpson JA at [67] Decision: 1. Appeal allowed. 2. Set aside orders 1, 2, 3 and 4 made by the District Court on 4 August 2016. 3. Cross-appeal dismissed. 4. Remit the matter to the District Court for decision in accordance with law. 5. The Authority to pay Ms Cunha's costs of the appeal. Catchwords: WORKERS COMPENSATION – worker injured by exposure to dust – surviving spouse dependent upon worker – whether surviving spouse wholly or partially dependent on worker immediately before worker's death – primary judge disregarded spouse's receipt of federal age pension and found spouse wholly dependent – appeal allowed and matter remitted – Workers' Compensation (Dust Diseases) Act 1942 (NSW) s 8(2B) considered Legislation Cited: District Court Act 1973 (NSW), s 142N Regulatory and Other Legislation (Amendments and Repeals) Act 2016 (NSW), item 4.1 of Sch 4 Social Security Act 1991 (Cth), s 37; Module G of Pt 3.2 of Ch 3 Workers' Compensation (Dust Diseases) Act 1942 (NSW), s 8(2B) Cases Cited: Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd v Bluescope Steel Ltd (2014) 87 NSWLR 332; [2014] NSWCA 276 B & L Linings Pty Ltd v Chief Commissioner of State Revenue (2008) 74 NSWLR 481 Claydon v Jayton Pty Ltd t/as Stocktrans (1999) 18 NSWCCR 381 Daley v SAS Trustee Corporation (2016) 91 NSWLR 525; [2016] NSWCA 111 Dionisatos (For the Estate of the late George Dionysatos) v Acrow Formwork & Scaffolding Pty Ltd (2015) 91 NSWLR 34; [2015] NSWCA 281 Fatovic v Standard Telephones & Cable Pty Ltd (unreported, 4 March 1991, Burke J) Kauri Timber Co (Tas) Pty Ltd v Reeman (1973) 128 CLR 177 Lembcke v SAS Trustee Corporation (2003) 56 NSWLR 736; [2003] NSWCA 136 Miles v SAS Trustee Corporation [2017] NSWCA 86 North Broken Hill Ltd v Tumes (1999) 18 NSWCCR 412; [1999] NSWCA 309 Patrick Operations Pty Ltd v Comcare (2006) 68 NSWLR 131; [2006] NSWCA 142 SAS Trustee Corporation v Woollard (2014) 86 NSWLR 367; [2014] NSWCA 75 Workers' Compensation (Dust Diseases) Board v Veksans (1993) 32 NSWLR 221 Workers' Compensation Dust Diseases Board of NSW v Cook [2015] NSWCA 270 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Workers Compensation (Dust Diseases) Authority (Appellant / Cross Respondent) Maria Cunha (Respondent / Cross Appellant) Representation: Counsel: M Allars SC (Appellant) G J Parker SC / J L Sharpe (Respondent)