Alfred v Walter Construction Group Ltd

[2003] FCA 993

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Alfred v Walter Construction Group Ltd [2003] FCA 993

PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – whether respondents excused from filing a defence by reason of privilege against self incrimination as to civil penalty

INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS – pleading defences in proceeding for breach of s 170NC where no penalty sought

WORDS AND PHRASES – ‘penalty’, ‘self incrimination’

Workplace Relations Act 1996 (Cth) ss 170NC, 170ND, 170NF

Australian Competition Consumer Commission v FFE Building Services Pty Ltd [2003] FCAFC 132 cited
Australian Securities & Investments Commission v Rich [2003] NSWSC 328; 45 ACSR 305; 21 ACLC 920 cited
Bridal Fashions Pty Ltd v Comptroller-General of Customs (1996) 140 ALR 681 distinguished
EL Bell Packaging Pty Ltd v Allied Seafoods Ltd (1990) 4 ACSR 85 discussed
Laws v Australian Broadcasting Tribunal (1990) 170 CLR 70 cited
R v Deputy Commissioner of Taxation;  Ex parte Briggs (1987) 13 FCR 389; 71 ALR 86 discussed
Rank Film Ltd v Video Information Centre (HL(E)) [1982] AC 380 cited
Re Intercontinental Development Corporation Pty Ltd (1975) 1 ACLR 253 applied
Refrigerated Express Lines (A/asia) Pty Ltd v Australian Meat & Livestock Corporation (1979) 42 FLR 204 followed
Sorby v Commonwealth (1983) 152 CLR 281 cited

INSPECTOR GREGORY CHARLES ALFRED v WALTER CONSTRUCTION GROUP LIMITED (ACN 008 390 074), JOHN STORER, CONSTRUCTION, FORESTRY, MINING, AND ENERGY UNION OF AUSTRALIA, PETER ZABOYAK and DAVID KELLY
N 775 OF 2003

GYLES J
19 SEPTEMBER 2003
SYDNEY

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA
NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY	N 775 OF 2003

BETWEEN:

INSPECTOR GREGORY CHARLES ALFRED
APPLICANT

AND:

WALTER CONSTRUCTION GROUP LIMITED (ACN 008 390 074)
FIRST RESPONDENT

JOHN STORER
SECOND RESPONDENT

CONSTRUCTION, FORESTRY, MINING, AND ENERGY UNION OF AUSTRALIA
THIRD RESPONDENT

PETER ZABOYAK
FOURTH RESPONDENT

DAVID KELLY
FIFTH RESPONDENT

JUDGE:

GYLES J

DATE OF ORDER:

19 SEPTEMBER 2003

WHERE MADE:

SYDNEY

THE COURT ORDERS THAT:

1.        The notices of motion dated 29 August 2003 be dismissed.

2.        Costs of the motions be the applicant’s costs in the proceeding.

Note:   Settlement and entry of orders is dealt with in Order 36 of the Federal Court Rules.

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA
NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY	N 775 OF 2003

BETWEEN:

INSPECTOR GREGORY CHARLES ALFRED
APPLICANT

AND:

WALTER CONSTRUCTION GROUP LIMITED (ACN 008 390 074)
FIRST RESPONDENT

JOHN STORER
SECOND RESPONDENT

CONSTRUCTION, FORESTRY, MINING, AND ENERGY UNION OF AUSTRALIA
THIRD RESPONDENT

PETER ZABOYAK
FOURTH RESPONDENT

DAVID KELLY
FIFTH RESPONDENT

JUDGE:	GYLES J
DATE:	19 SEPTEMBER 2003
PLACE:	SYDNEY

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT

1. The relief sought in the amended application is as follows:

   ‘1.A declaration that the first respondent contravened subsection 170NC(1) of the Workplace Relations Act 1996 (Act), as specified in the accompanying statement of claim.

   2.An Order pursuant to section 170NF of the Act imposing a penalty on the first respondent for and in respect of each such contravention of subsection 170NC(1) of the Act

   3.A declaration that the second respondent contravened subsection 170NC(1) of the Act,…