Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union v Cape Flattery Silica Mines Pty Ltd

Case [2025] FWC 1481


[2025] FWC 1481

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.459 - Application to extend the 30 day period in which industrial action is authorised by protected action ballot

Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union
v

Cape Flattery Silica Mines Pty Ltd

(B2025/841)

DEPUTY PRESIDENT HAMPTON

ADELAIDE, 30 MAY 2025

Application to extend the 30 day period in relation to B2025/626

  1. This matter concerns the declaration of the result of a protected action ballot PR786137 held in matter B2025/626 and declared on 2 May 2025. 

  1. The Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union has made an application pursuant to s.459(3) of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Act) to extend the 30 day period in which industrial action is authorised by the relevant protected action ballot. 

  1. Section 459(3) of the Act provides as follows: 

“(3) The FWC may extend the 30-day period referred to in subparagraph (1)(d)(i) by up to 30 days if: 

(a)an applicant for the protected action ballot order applies to the FWC for the period to be extended; and 

(b) the period has not previously been extended.” 

  1. The application contends that each of the relevant requirements have been met and that the period should be extended by a further 30 days from the expiry of the original 30 days. 

  1. Cape Flattery Silica Mines Pty Ltd has advised the Commission it has no objection to this application. 

  1. I am satisfied that the relevant requirements of the Act have been met and that the application should be granted. 

  1. Accordingly, pursuant to section 459(3) of the Act, I order that the 30 day period for the commencement of protected industrial action for eligible employees who were subject to the ballot and are employed by the Employer be extended by a further 30 days.  

  1. This order will operate on and from 31 May 2025. 

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<PR787774>

Details
AGLC
Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union v Cape Flattery Silica Mines Pty Ltd [2025] FWC 1481
Case
[2025] FWC 1481
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

In this case, the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union submitted an application to the Fair Work Commission under section 459 of the Fair Work Act 2009, seeking to extend the 30-day period within which industrial action could be authorised by a protected action ballot. The matter involved the declaration of the result of a protected action ballot, PR786137, which had been held and declared on 2 May 2025. The application aimed to extend the period by an additional 30 days, as allowed by section 459(3) of the Act, which permits such an extension if the original period has not already been extended and if the applicant for the protected action ballot order requests the extension.

The primary legal issue for the Fair Work Commission to decide was whether the requirements under section 459(3) of the Fair Work Act had been met. The Union argued that the application fulfilled all the necessary criteria, including that the protected action ballot order had been applied for by an applicant, and that the original 30-day period had not previously been extended. Cape Flattery Silica Mines Pty Ltd did not oppose the application, which meant the Commission needed to consider whether the Union's application met the statutory criteria and if the extension was justified under the circumstances.

After reviewing the application and considering the submissions, Deputy President Hampton found that the Union had satisfied the requirements of the Act. The Deputy President was satisfied that the application met the statutory criteria and that the extension of the 30-day period was warranted. Consequently, the Commission granted the application, extending the period by a further 30 days from the expiry of the original 30 days. The order took effect from 31 May 2025, allowing eligible employees who were subject to the ballot to engage in protected industrial action within the extended timeframe.

Orders

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Background

Background to the litigation

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Evidence

Evidence Before The Court

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Decision

Reasons for decision

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Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

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