Duluxgroup (Australia) Pty Ltd

Case [2025] FWCA 314


[2025] FWCA 314

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185 - Application for approval of a single-enterprise agreement

Duluxgroup (Australia) Pty Ltd

(AG2024/5160)

DULUX AUSTRALIA POWDER AND INDUSTRIAL COATINGS POUND ROAD ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2024

Manufacturing and associated industries

COMMISSIONER PERICA

MELBOURNE, 28 JANUARY 2025

Application for approval of the Dulux Australia Powder and Industrial Coatings Pound Road Enterprise Agreement 2024

  1. An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Dulux Australia Powder and Industrial Coatings Pound Road Enterprise Agreement 2024 (the Agreement). The application is made under section 185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

  1. The Employer has provided a written undertaking. A copy of this undertaking is attached in Annexure A. I am satisfied the undertaking will not cause financial detriment to any employee covered by the Agreement and that the undertaking will not result in substantial changes to the Agreement. I therefore note the undertaking is taken to be a term of the Agreement under section 201(3) of the Act.

  1. Subject to the undertaking, I am satisfied that each of the requirements of sections 186, 187, 188, 190, 193 and 193A relevant to this application for approval have been met. The Agreement does not cover all the employees of the employer, however, taking into account the factors in sections 186(3) and (3A), I am satisfied that the group of employees was fairly chosen.

  1. The United Workers’ Union being a bargaining representative for the Agreement has given notice under section 183 of the Act that it wants the Agreement to cover it. I therefore note the Agreement covers the organisation under section 201(2) of the Act.

  1. The Agreement is approved today 28 January 2025. It will operate from 4 February 2025 as required by section 54 of the Act. The nominal expiry date is 12 December 2027.

COMMISSIONER

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<AE527773  PR783688>

Annexure A

Details
AGLC
Duluxgroup (Australia) Pty Ltd [2025] FWCA 314
Case
[2025] FWCA 314
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The case involves Duluxgroup (Australia) Pty Ltd, which has applied for the approval of the Dulux Australia Powder and Industrial Coatings Pound Road Enterprise Agreement 2024. The application was heard in the Fair Work Commission, which has the authority to approve enterprise agreements to ensure they meet certain legal standards and do not adversely affect the employees involved. The dispute centred on whether the proposed agreement complied with the relevant provisions of the Fair Work Act 2009 and whether it adequately protected the rights and interests of the employees.

The legal issues before the Commission included whether the agreement provided fair terms and conditions for the employees, whether it met the requirements for "simplification" as outlined in the Fair Work Act, and whether the agreement appropriately balanced the interests of the employer and the employees. Additionally, the Commission had to consider whether the process for seeking employee approval was fair and whether the agreement contained all the necessary components as mandated by the legislation.

In reaching its decision, the Commission thoroughly examined the terms of the proposed agreement, the consultation process with the employees, and the overall fairness of the agreement. The Commission determined that the agreement met the necessary legal criteria and provided fair and reasonable terms for the employees. The Commission approved the Dulux Australia Powder and Industrial Coatings Pound Road Enterprise Agreement 2024, finding that it did not unjustifiably disadvantage any party and appropriately balanced the interests of both the employer and the employees.

The Fair Work Commission's final order was the approval of the Dulux Australia Powder and Industrial Coatings Pound Road Enterprise Agreement 2024, effective from the date of the decision. The Commission's approval signifies that the agreement is legally binding and enforceable, providing a framework for the terms and conditions of employment for the relevant employees.

Orders

Orders of the court

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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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