Codey Woodforth v Michael Harris T/A Sunshine Coast Mazda

[2013] FWC 4228

[2013] FWC 4228

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009
s.394—Unfair dismissal

Codey Woodforth
v
Michael Harris T/A Sunshine Coast Mazda
(U2013/6755)

DEPUTY PRESIDENT GOOLEY MELBOURNE, 3 JULY 2013

Application for relief from unfair dismissal dismissed pursuant to s.399A of the Fair Work Act 2009.

[1] On 21 February 2013, an application pursuant to s.394 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act) for remedy from unfair dismissal was lodged by Mr Codey Woodforth (the Applicant). The Applicant’s employment had been terminated by Michael Harris T/A Sunshine Coast Mazda (the Respondent) on 1 February 2013.

[2] Conciliation was listed for 21 March 2013 and did not settle. Consequently, directions were issued and the matter was listed for hearing.

[3] The Applicant was directed to file an outline of submissions, any witness statements and other documentary material he wished to rely on by noon, 6 May 2013.

[4] The Applicant failed to comply with the direction to file material by 6 May 2013.

[5] On 7 May 2013, the Commission contacted the Applicant with regard to his failure to file his material. The Applicant advised that he had emailed a request to get an extension to file his material the previous day. The Applicant was advised that due to technical difficulties faced by the Commission, the Applicant’s email was not received. The Applicant was asked to resend the email.

[6] On 14 May 2013, the Commission was in receipt of an email from the Applicant advising that one of his witnesses was in hospital and that he required more time to get in contact with them.

[7] On 15 May 2013, amended directions for the filing of material were issued to both the Applicant and Respondent. The Applicant was now required to file and serve his material by noon, 3 June 2013.

[8] The Applicant failed to comply with the direction to file material by 3 June 2013. The Commission made several attempts to contact the Applicant and was not successful, consequently the matter was listed for a non compliance hearing before me on 14 June 2013.

[9] The Applicant failed to attend the non compliance hearing. The Respondent made an application, pursuant to s.399A of the Act, that the matter be dismissed as the Applicant had failed to comply with a direction of the Commission. I waived compliance with the Fair Work Rules 2009 and accepted the Respondent’s oral application.

[10] On 14 June 2013, the Applicant was sent correspondence informing him of the Respondent’s s.399A application. The Applicant was directed to file submissions and other documentary material in respect of the Respondent’s application by close of business, 24 June 2013. The Applicant was advised that if he failed to comply with the direction, the application would be dismissed.

[11] The Applicant did not file any material with the Commission.

[12] Section 399A of the Act provides as follows:

399A Dismissing applications

(1) The FWC may, subject to subsection (2), dismiss an application for an order under Division 4 if the FWC is satisfied that the applicant has unreasonably:

(a) failed to attend a conference conducted by the FWC, or a hearing held by the FWC, in relation to the application; or

(b) failed to comply with a direction or order of the FWC relating to the application; or

(c) failed to discontinue the application after a settlement agreement has been concluded.

Note 1: For another power of the FWC to dismiss applications for orders under Division 4, see section 587.

Note 2: The FWC may make an order for costs if the applicant’s failure causes the other party to the matter to incur costs (see section 400A).

(2) The FWC may exercise its power under subsection (1) on application by the employer.

(3) This section does not limit when the FWC may dismiss an application.

[13] Section 593 of the Act provides that the Commission is not required to hold a hearing except as provided by the Act.

[14] As the Applicant did not file any material in opposition to the application to dismiss and has failed to attend the hearing on 14 June 2013 without explanation, I have decided to determine the application on the papers.

[15] After considering all the material before me, I have decided to dismiss the Applicant’s application for remedy from unfair dismissal pursuant to s.399A(1)(a) and (b) of the Act. An order giving effect to this decision will be issued today.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

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