Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme Board v Dexter

The Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme Board appealed against a decision of the Superannuation Complaints Tribunal, which had made an order requiring the Board to pay compensation to Ms Dexter for its failure to advise her of her superannuation rights. The Board's contention was that the Tribunal lacked the jurisdiction to make an order for compensation in this case. The legal issues before the court were whether the Tribunal had the power to order compensation for the failure to advise Ms Dexter of her superannuation rights and whether the Board's appeal was successful. The court found that the Tribunal did have the jurisdiction to make an order for compensation as it had the same powers as the trustee of the fund and could make a determination in accordance with the governing rules of the fund. The court also found that the Board's appeal was not successful, and therefore, the orders of the Tribunal were affirmed. The orders of the court were that the appeal be dismissed and that the applicant pay the respondent's costs of the appeal.