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Daff and Comcare

Daff and Comcare

Case [2010] AATA 732 24 September 2010

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Administrative Appeals Tribunal
DECISION AND REASONS FOR DECISION [2010] AATA 732
ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS TRIBUNAL      )
)          2009/1365
  )          2009/2850

GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION )

Re WAYNE DAFF

Applicant

And

COMCARE

Respondent

DECISION

Tribunal Mr S. Webb, Member
Date24 September 2010
PlaceCanberra

Decision The decisions under review are affirmed.

.........................[sgd].....................
Mr S. Webb, Member

CATCHWORDS
WORKERS COMPENSATION - rehabilitation - former employee - entitlement to weekly rehabilitation compensation payments after the age of 65 - calculus to be used when determining the amount of compensation payable - decision affirmed
WORKERS COMPENSATION - incapacity payments - former employee - entitlement to incapacity payments after the age of 65 - meaning of 'for the time being' - accrued right - comparative disadvantage - for injured workers who were under 65 and receiving less than 70 percent total benefit on the commencement day the rate of compensation reduces to zero at age 65 - decision affirmed
Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 ss 4, 19, 23, 37, 123, 124, 127, 128, 131, 134
Compensation (Australian Government Employees) Act 1971 ss 38, 45, 104
Attorney-General (Qld) v Australian Industrial Relations Commission [2002] HCA 42
Bird v Commonwealth (1988) 165 CLR 1
Brede and Department of Defence (1994) 33 ALD 669
Chang v Laidley Shire Council [2007] HCA 37
CIC Insurance Limited v Bankstown Football Club Limited (1997) 187 CLR 384
Comcare v Meng Chang [1996] FCA 1844
Esber v Commonwealth [1992] HCA 20
Fisher v Hebburn Ltd [1960] HCA 80
Hardin v Comcare (1995) 21 AAR 392
I W v City of Perth (1996) 191 CLR 1
Magill v Magill [2006] HCA 51
Newcastle City Council v GIO General Limited (1997) 191 CLR 85
Network Ten Pty Limited v TCN Channel Nine Pty Limited (2004) 218 CLR 273
Ogden Industries Pty Ltd v Lucas [1967] HCA 30
Project Blue Sky Inc v Australian Broadcasting Authority (1998) 194 CLR 355
Re Bolton; Ex parte Beane (1987) 162 CLR 514 at 518
Stingel v Clark (2006) 226 CLR 442
Telstra Corporation Limited v Warner (1994) 20 AAR 259
Waters v Public Transport Corporation (1991) 173 CLR 349
Wilson v Wilson's Tile Works Pty Limited (1960) 104 CLR 328
Yule v Junek (1978) 139 CLR 1
REASONS FOR DECISION

24 September 2010 Mr S. Webb, Member

1. Wayne Daff was injured in employment by the Australian Federal Police in 1984. Presently, he has two claims for compensation on foot: the first concerns his entitlement to compensation payments during a rehabilitation program and the second concerns his entitlement to compensation payments for incapacity. Comcare has rejected both claims by primary determination and on reconsideration. These decisions are the subject of separate applications for review.
2. Mr Daff is legally represented in application 2009/1365 and he is representing himself in application 2009/2850. For convenience the applications were listed on the same day, but were heard in series. As the applications turn on similar facts, it is convenient to deal with them in one decision, albeit in two parts. Documents…

Grounds of appeal

[14] The appellant contends that the primary judge erred in finding that the respondent had discharged the onus of establishing the matters required under the relevant provision.

[15] It was submitted that his Honour failed to give adequate weight to the evidence of the second witness, and that the findings of fact were not reasonably open on the material before the Court.

[16] The respondent, for its part, submits that no error is disclosed, and that the conclusions reached were well within the range of outcomes available to the primary judge.

Consideration

[17] It is convenient to deal first with the question of construction, as the resolution of that issue informs the remaining grounds advanced by the appellant.

[18] For the reasons that follow, we are of the view that the appeal should be allowed in part and the matter remitted for further determination.

Continue reading Daff and Comcare

Details

AGLC: Daff and Comcare [2010] AATA 732
Case: [2010] AATA 732
Decision Date: 24 September 2010

CaseChat Overview and Summary

Daff brought a claim against Comcare for weekly rehabilitation payments and incapacity payments under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988. The primary issue was whether the claimant was entitled to such payments after reaching the age of 65. The court also considered the appropriate method of calculating the weekly payments. The tribunal had determined that the claimant was entitled to the payments and that the weekly payments should be calculated using a specific formula.

The court found that the claimant had an accrued right to the payments under the Act, and that the use of the term 'for the time being' did not limit the entitlement to payments after the age of 65. The court held that the claimant's entitlement to the payments was not subject to comparative disadvantage with other injured workers who were under 65 and receiving less than 70 percent total benefit on the commencement day. The court affirmed the tribunal's decision that the weekly payments should be calculated using the formula set out in the Act.

The court affirmed the decisions of the tribunal, finding that the claimant was entitled to weekly rehabilitation payments and incapacity payments after reaching the age of 65. The court held that the claimant's entitlement to the payments was not subject to comparative disadvantage with other injured workers and that the tribunal had correctly calculated the weekly payments using the formula set out in the Act.

Orders

Orders of the court

The decisions under review are affirmed.

Background

Background to the litigation

Full text does not contain this section.

Evidence

Evidence Before The Court

Full text does not contain this section.

Decision

Reasons for decision

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Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

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Actions

Citations

Daff and Comcare [2010] AATA 732

Most Recent Citation

Phillips v Australian Capital Territory (As Represented BY Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate) (Discrimination) [2021] ACAT 22

Cases Citing This Decision

The Australian Capital Territory v Phillips (Appeal) [2021] ACAT 122
Citation 1 (Para 9)

…d that the relationship continues even after the employment has come to an end.[28] [28] Fleming and Comcare [2004] AATA 1016; Daff & Comcare [2010] AATA 732; Cook and Comcare [2017] AATA 227; Steins and Comcare [2019] AATA 803 at [17]-[22]…
Phillips v Australian Capital Territory [2021] ACAT 22
Citation 2 (Para 6)

…Compensation Act 1988 (Cth) section 37 [55] Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (Cth) section 39 [56] [2004] AATA 1016 [57] [2010] AATA 732 [58] [2017] AATA 227 [59] [2019] AATA 803 at [17]-[22]…
Steins and Comcare (Compensation) [2019] AATA 803
Citation 3 (Para 18)

…care has not identified any authorities that confirm that conclusion specifically, but notes Fleming and Comcare [2004] AATA 1016, Daff and Comcare [2010] AATA 732 and Cook and Comcare [2017] AATA 227 as cases where the decision rested on that point without the tribunal setting out explicitly to decide it or calli…
Cook and Comcare (Compensation) [2017] AATA 227
Citation 4 (Para 19)

…31 of the SRC Act and does not affect employees who receive incapacity payments under any other section of the legislation (citing Daff and Comcare [2010] AATA 732). [29] Exhibit T3 at pages 16 and 17. This determination was affirmed in a reconsideration determination made on 1 July 2016 [Exhibit T3 at pages 21-24…
Cook and Comcare (Compensation) [2016] AATA 371
Citation 5 (Para 18)

…1. It does not apply to an employee such as Mr Cook whose incapacity payments would otherwise be calculated under s 20. [2] Re Daff and Comcare [2010] AATA 732.…
Giovanni Del Treppo and Comcare [2014] AATA 711
Citation 6 (Para 10)

…under s 134, whether on these grounds or otherwise ( Awad v Australia Post [2004] AATA 408; Whitney v Comcare [2012] AATA 370 at [10]; Daff v Comcare [2010] AATA 732 at [38]).…
JOSEPH WHITNEY and COMCARE [2012] AATA 370
Citation 7 (Para 8)

…scribed the operation of the legislation as it stood at that time. That situation changed with enactment of the 1988 Act.[4] [4] See Daff and Comcare [2010] AATA 732 at para 42.…

See all citing cases →

Cases Cited

Chang v Laidley Shire Council [2007] HCA 37
Citation 1

…lations Commission [2002] HCA 42 Bird v Commonwealth (1988) 165 CLR 1 Brede and Department of Defence (1994) 33 ALD 669 Chang v Laidley Shire Council [2007] HCA 37 CIC Insurance Limited v Bankstown Football Club Limited (1997) 187 CLR 384 Comcare v Meng Chang [1996] FCA 1844 Esber v Commonwealth [1992] HCA 20 Fi…
Magill v Magill [2006] HCA 51
Citation 2

…Commonwealth [1992] HCA 20 Fisher v Hebburn Ltd [1960] HCA 80 Hardin v Comcare (1995) 21 AAR 392 I W v City of Perth (1996) 191 CLR 1 Magill v Magill [2006] HCA 51 Newcastle City Council v GIO General Limited (1997) 191 CLR 85 Network Ten Pty Limited v TCN Channel Nine Pty Limited (2004) 218 CLR 273 Ogden Indust…
Stingel v Clark [2006] HCA 37
Citation 3

…CA 30 Project Blue Sky Inc v Australian Broadcasting Authority (1998) 194 CLR 355 Re Bolton; Ex parte Beane (1987) 162 CLR 514 at 518 Stingel v Clark (2006) 226 CLR 442 Telstra Corporation Limited v Warner (1994) 20 AAR 259 Waters v Public Transport Corporation (1991) 173 CLR 349 Wilson v Wilson's Tile Works Pty Limi…
Network Ten Pty Ltd v TCN Channel Nine Pty Ltd [2004] HCA 14
Citation 4

…1 Magill v Magill [2006] HCA 51 Newcastle City Council v GIO General Limited (1997) 191 CLR 85 Network Ten Pty Limited v TCN Channel Nine Pty Limited (2004) 218 CLR 273 Ogden Industries Pty Ltd v Lucas [1967] HCA 30 Project Blue Sky Inc v Australian Broadcasting Authority (1998) 194 CLR 355 Re Bolton; Ex parte Beane…
Attorney-General (Qld) v Australian Industrial Relations Commission [2002] HCA 42
Citation 5

…, 131, 134 Compensation (Australian Government Employees) Act 1971 ss 38, 45, 104 Attorney-General (Qld) v Australian Industrial Relations Commission [2002] HCA 42 Bird v Commonwealth (1988) 165 CLR 1 Brede and Department of Defence (1994) 33 ALD 669 Chang v Laidley Shire Council [2007] HCA 37 CIC Insurance Limi…
Project Blue Sky Inc v Australian Broadcasting Authority [1998] HCA 53
Citation 6

…N Channel Nine Pty Limited (2004) 218 CLR 273 Ogden Industries Pty Ltd v Lucas [1967] HCA 30 Project Blue Sky Inc v Australian Broadcasting Authority (1998) 194 CLR 355 Re Bolton; Ex parte Beane (1987) 162 CLR 514 at 518 Stingel v Clark (2006) 226 CLR 442 Telstra Corporation Limited v Warner (1994) 20 AAR 259 Waters…
Newcastle City Council v GIO General Ltd [1997] HCA 53
Citation 7

…80 Hardin v Comcare (1995) 21 AAR 392 I W v City of Perth (1996) 191 CLR 1 Magill v Magill [2006] HCA 51 Newcastle City Council v GIO General Limited (1997) 191 CLR 85 Network Ten Pty Limited v TCN Channel Nine Pty Limited (2004) 218 CLR 273 Ogden Industries Pty Ltd v Lucas [1967] HCA 30 Project Blue Sky Inc v Austr…
IW v City of Perth [1997] HCA 30
Citation 8

…ng Chang [1996] FCA 1844 Esber v Commonwealth [1992] HCA 20 Fisher v Hebburn Ltd [1960] HCA 80 Hardin v Comcare (1995) 21 AAR 392 I W v City of Perth (1996) 191 CLR 1 Magill v Magill [2006] HCA 51 Newcastle City Council v GIO General Limited (1997) 191 CLR 85 Network Ten Pty Limited v TCN Channel Nine Pty Limited (…
CIC Insurance Ltd v Bankstown Football Club Ltd [1997] HCA 2
Citation 9

…Brede and Department of Defence (1994) 33 ALD 669 Chang v Laidley Shire Council [2007] HCA 37 CIC Insurance Limited v Bankstown Football Club Limited (1997) 187 CLR 384 Comcare v Meng Chang [1996] FCA 1844 Esber v Commonwealth [1992] HCA 20 Fisher v Hebburn Ltd [1960] HCA 80 Hardin v Comcare (1995) 21 AAR 392 I W v C…
Telstra Corporation Limited v Warner [1994] FCA 622
Citation 10

…Sky Inc v Australian Broadcasting Authority (1998) 194 CLR 355 Re Bolton; Ex parte Beane (1987) 162 CLR 514 at 518 Stingel v Clark (2006) 226 CLR 442 Telstra Corporation Limited v Warner (1994) 20 AAR 259 Waters v Public Transport Corporation (1991) 173 CLR 349 Wilson v Wilson's Tile Works Pty Limited (1960) 104 CLR 328 Yule v Junek (1978) 1…
Esber v the Commonwealth [1992] HCA 20
Citation 11

…il [2007] HCA 37 CIC Insurance Limited v Bankstown Football Club Limited (1997) 187 CLR 384 Comcare v Meng Chang [1996] FCA 1844 Esber v Commonwealth [1992] HCA 20 Fisher v Hebburn Ltd [1960] HCA 80 Hardin v Comcare (1995) 21 AAR 392 I W v City of Perth (1996) 191 CLR 1 Magill v Magill [2006] HCA 51 Newcastle Ci…
Waters v Public Transport Corporation [1992] HCA 9
Citation 12

…7) 162 CLR 514 at 518 Stingel v Clark (2006) 226 CLR 442 Telstra Corporation Limited v Warner (1994) 20 AAR 259 Waters v Public Transport Corporation (1991) 173 CLR 349 Wilson v Wilson's Tile Works Pty Limited (1960) 104 CLR 328 Yule v Junek (1978) 139 CLR 1 REASONS FOR DECISION 24 September 2010 Mr S. Webb, Member 1…
Waters v Public Transport Corporation [1991] HCA 49
Citation 13

…CLR 355 Re Bolton; Ex parte Beane (1987) 162 CLR 514 at 518 Stingel v Clark (2006) 226 CLR 442 Telstra Corporation Limited v Warner (1994) 20 AAR 259 Waters v Public Transport Corporation (1991) 173 CLR 349 Wilson v Wilson's Tile Works Pty Limited (1960) 104 CLR 328 Yule v Junek (1978) 139 CLR 1 REASONS FOR DECISION 24 September 2010 Mr S. We…
Bird v The Commonwealth [1988] HCA 23
Citation 14

…n Government Employees) Act 1971 ss 38, 45, 104 Attorney-General (Qld) v Australian Industrial Relations Commission [2002] HCA 42 Bird v Commonwealth (1988) 165 CLR 1 Brede and Department of Defence (1994) 33 ALD 669 Chang v Laidley Shire Council [2007] HCA 37 CIC Insurance Limited v Bankstown Football Club Limited…
Re Bolton; Ex parte Beane [1987] HCA 12
Citation 15

…Ogden Industries Pty Ltd v Lucas [1967] HCA 30 Project Blue Sky Inc v Australian Broadcasting Authority (1998) 194 CLR 355 Re Bolton; Ex parte Beane (1987) 162 CLR 514 at 518 Stingel v Clark (2006) 226 CLR 442 Telstra Corporation Limited v Warner (1994) 20 AAR 259 Waters v Public Transport Corporation (1991) 173 CLR…
Yule v Junek [1978] HCA 4
Citation 16

…r (1994) 20 AAR 259 Waters v Public Transport Corporation (1991) 173 CLR 349 Wilson v Wilson's Tile Works Pty Limited (1960) 104 CLR 328 Yule v Junek (1978) 139 CLR 1 REASONS FOR DECISION 24 September 2010 Mr S. Webb, Member 1. Wayne Daff was injured in employment by the Australian Federal Police in 1984. Presently…
Ogden Industries Pty Ltd v Lucas [1967] HCA 30
Citation 17

…il v GIO General Limited (1997) 191 CLR 85 Network Ten Pty Limited v TCN Channel Nine Pty Limited (2004) 218 CLR 273 Ogden Industries Pty Ltd v Lucas [1967] HCA 30 Project Blue Sky Inc v Australian Broadcasting Authority (1998) 194 CLR 355 Re Bolton; Ex parte Beane (1987) 162 CLR 514 at 518 Stingel v Clark (2006…
Fisher v Hebburn Ltd [1960] HCA 80
Citation 18

…ted v Bankstown Football Club Limited (1997) 187 CLR 384 Comcare v Meng Chang [1996] FCA 1844 Esber v Commonwealth [1992] HCA 20 Fisher v Hebburn Ltd [1960] HCA 80 Hardin v Comcare (1995) 21 AAR 392 I W v City of Perth (1996) 191 CLR 1 Magill v Magill [2006] HCA 51 Newcastle City Council v GIO General Limited (1…
Wilson v Wilson's Tile Works Pty Ltd [1960] HCA 63
Citation 19

…stra Corporation Limited v Warner (1994) 20 AAR 259 Waters v Public Transport Corporation (1991) 173 CLR 349 Wilson v Wilson's Tile Works Pty Limited (1960) 104 CLR 328 Yule v Junek (1978) 139 CLR 1 REASONS FOR DECISION 24 September 2010 Mr S. Webb, Member 1. Wayne Daff was injured in employment by the Australian Fed…
Comcare v Meng Chang [1996] FCA 1844
Citation 20

…3 ALD 669 Chang v Laidley Shire Council [2007] HCA 37 CIC Insurance Limited v Bankstown Football Club Limited (1997) 187 CLR 384 Comcare v Meng Chang [1996] FCA 1844 Esber v Commonwealth [1992] HCA 20 Fisher v Hebburn Ltd [1960] HCA 80 Hardin v Comcare (1995) 21 AAR 392 I W v City of Perth (1996) 191 CLR 1 Magill…
Network Ten Pty Limited v TCN Channel Nine Pty Limited 33 ER 987
Citation 21

…e (1995) 21 AAR 392 I W v City of Perth (1996) 191 CLR 1 Magill v Magill [2006] HCA 51 Newcastle City Council v GIO General Limited (1997) 191 CLR 85 Network Ten Pty Limited v TCN Channel Nine Pty Limited (2004) 218 CLR 273 Ogden Industries Pty Ltd v Lucas [1967] HCA 30 Project Blue Sky Inc v Australian Broadcasting Authority (1998) 194 CLR 355 Re Bolton; Ex…

Legislation Cited

Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (Cth) 123, 124, 127, 128, 131, 134, 19, 23, 37...
11 mentions
Compensation (Australian Government Employees) Act 1971 (Cth) 104, 38, 45
3 mentions
Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (Cth)
1 mention
Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975 (Cth)
1 mention
Social Security Act 1991 (Cth)
1 mention