Maxwell v Commissioner of Fire and Rescue NSW [2020] NSWIRComm 1024

Industrial Relations Commission New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Maxwell v Commissioner of Fire and Rescue NSW [2020] NSWIRComm 1024 Hearing dates: 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20 and 21 March 2019 and 24 July 2019 Date of orders: 09 April 2020 Decision date: 09 April 2020 Jurisdiction: Industrial Relations Commission Before: Chief Commissioner Constant Decision: The applicant is reinstated. No order is made for back pay. Catchwords: UNFAIR DISMISSAL – Retained Fire Captain – 27 year career – misconduct – allegations not all sustained - proven allegations not of sufficient seriousness to warrant dismissal – dismissal harsh unreasonable and unjust – reinstatement not impracticable – reinstatement ordered – no order for back pay Legislation Cited: Fire and Rescue Act 1989 (NSW), s 69 Fire Brigades Regulation 2014 (NSW), cll 3, 13, 14, 16, 17, 33, 35 Industrial Relations Act 1996 (NSW), ss 84, 88, 163 Police Act 1990 (NSW), s 181E Cases Cited: Antonakopoulos v State Bank (1999) 91 IR 385 Briginshaw v Briginshaw (1938) 60 CLR 336 CCH Australia Ltd v Bowen (1998) 79 IR 206 Corrective Services NSW v Danwer [2013] NSWIRComm 61 Foster and Woolworths Limited [2000] NSWIRComm 208 Franklins Ltd v Webb (1996) 72 IR 257 Hollingsworth v Commissioner of Police (No 2) 88 IR 282 National Union of Workers, New South Wales Branch (o/b Khan) v Cuno Pacific Pty Ltd (2005) 146 IR 441 New South Wales Nurses' Association (on behalf of Colin Prior) and South Eastern Sydney and Illawarra Area Health Service [2007] NSWIRComm 164 Outboard World Pty Limited (t/a Budget Waste Control (Sydney)) v Muir (1993) 51 IR 167 Pastrycooks Employees, Biscuit Makers Employees & Flour and Sugar Goods Workers Union (NSW) v Gartrell White (No. 3) (1990) 35 IR 70 Perkins v Grace Worldwide (Aust) Pty Ltd (1997) 72 IR 186 Wang v Crestell Industries Pty Ltd (1997) 73 IR 454 Wattie v Industrial Relations Secretary on behalf of the Secretary of the Department of Justice (No 2) [2018] NSWCA 124 Western Suburbs District Ambulance Committee v Tipping [1957] AR (NSW) 273 Texts Cited: Macquarie Dictionary online Category: Principal judgment Parties: Kenneth Maxwell (applicant) Commissioner of Fire and Rescue NSW (respondent) Representation: Counsel: L Saunders (applicant) D Dinnen (respondent)