Cam Meridian v Bunnings Group Limited

[2024] FWC 1035

[2024] FWC 1035

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.394—Unfair dismissal

Cam Meridian
v

Bunnings Group Limited

(U2024/424)

VICE PRESIDENT CATANZARITI SYDNEY, 19 APRIL 2024

Application for an unfair dismissal remedy

1. Mr Cam Meridian (the Applicant) was employed by Bunnings Group Limited (the Respondent) until he was dismissed on 2 January 2024.

1. On 11 January 2024, the Applicant made an application for a remedy for unfair dismissal under s.394 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act).

1. A conciliation conference was scheduled on 25 March 2024 however Mr Meridian did not attend.

1. On 27 March 2024, correspondence was sent to the Applicant in relation to his lack of attendance at a scheduled conciliation and he was required to respond by 3 April 2024. No response was received at this time.
   
   

2. Further correspondence was sent to the Applicant on 5 April 2024, and he was required to respond by 5:00pm on 10 April 2024. It was in this correspondence that the Applicant was advised the application may be dismissed without any notice if no response was received. No response was received at this time.

1. On 11 April 2024 the Commission attempted to contact the Applicant via telephone. However, the Applicant could not be reached as he had provided an invalid phone number. On the same day, the Respondent contacted the Commission to follow up on the dismissal of the application. Correspondence was sent to both parties providing the Applicant a final opportunity to respond by 18 April 2024. It was in this correspondence that the Applicant was advised the application would be dismissed without any notice if no response was received.

1. To date, the Applicant has not responded to any of the correspondence sent by my Chambers.

1. Section 587 of the Act provides:

587  Dismissing applications

(1) Without limiting when the FWC may dismiss an application, the FWC may dismiss an application if:

(a) the application is not made in accordance with this Act; or
(b) the application is frivolous or vexatious; or
(c) the application has no reasonable prospects of success.

Note: For another power of the FWC to dismiss an application for a remedy for unfair dismissal made under Division 5 of Part 3‑2, see section 399A.

(2) Despite paragraphs (1)(b) and (c), the FWC must not dismiss an application under section 365 or 773, or an application under section 527F that does not consist solely of an application for a stop sexual harassment order, on the ground that the application:

(a) is frivolous or vexatious; or
(b) has no reasonable prospects of success.

(3) The FWC may dismiss an application:

(a) on its own initiative; or
(b) on application.

1. The words, “Without limiting when FWC may dismiss an application” at the commencement of s.587(1) of the Act, establish that the jurisdiction of the Commission to dismiss an application is not limited to the circumstances set out in s.587(1)(a), (b) and (c).

1. In the circumstances I have decided to dismiss the application for want of prosecution pursuant to s.587(3)(a) of the Act.

1. An order to that effect will issue with this decision.

VICE PRESIDENT

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