Edward Davis v Bunnings Group Limited T/A Bunnings Warehouse

[2025] FWC 202

[2025] FWC 202

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.394—Unfair dismissal

Edward Davis
v

Bunnings Group Limited T/A Bunnings Warehouse

(U2024/13588)

DEPUTY PRESIDENT BOYCE SYDNEY, 21 JANUARY 2025

Application for an unfair dismissal remedy

1. On 13 November 2024, Mr Edward Davis (Applicant) filed an application pursuant to s.394 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Act) with the Fair Work Commission (Commission), being an application for an unfair dismissal remedy (Application). The Respondent to the Application is Bunnings Group Limited T/A Bunnings Warehouse (Respondent).

1. Direction [2] of the Directions issued on 3 January 2025 reads:

“[2]By 4.00pm AEDT on Thursday, 16 January 2025, the Applicant must file in the Commission and serve upon the Respondent an outline of submissions, witness statements, and any documents in support of his unfair dismissal claim.”

1. The Applicant did not comply with Direction [2].

1. On 17 January 2025, at 2:10 PM AEDT, the following email (Show Cause Email) was sent to the Applicant:

“Dear Mr Davis

Re: U2024/13588 - Edward Davis v Bunnings Group Limited T/A Bunnings Warehouse

I refer to the matter above.

Background

On 3 January 2025, the Fair Work Commission issued the attached Directions in this matter.

Direction [2] of those directions read as follows:

[2]  By 4.00pm AEDT on Thursday, 16 January 2025, the Applicant must file in the Commission and serve upon the Respondent an outline of submissions, witness statements, and any documents in support of his unfair dismissal claim.

To date, Chambers has not received any materials in compliance with Direction [2].

Further directions regarding show cause

In view of the foregoing, the Deputy President directs as follows:

[1]  The Applicant is to file with the Commission, and serve on the Respondent, written submissions regarding their non-compliance with directions. Further, the Applicant is to make submissions as to why this matter should not be dismissed. The Applicant is to comply with this Direction by no later than 12:00pm AEDT on Monday, 20 January 2025.

[2]  If the Applicant does not comply with Direction [1] above, or if the Deputy President is not satisfied by the Applicant’s submissions, the matter will be dismissed without further notice.

Yours faithfully,

[Associate].”

1. The Applicant has made no response to the Show Cause Email.

1. On 21 January 2025 at 2:07pm AEDT, my Associate made a phone call to the Applicant (the Phone Call) for the purposes of ascertaining his status or position in respect of his unfair dismissal claim. The Applicant did not answer the Phone Call. No message was left.

Legislative Provisions

1. Section 587 of the Act reads:

“587 Dismissing applications

(1)      Without limiting when the FWC may dismiss an application, the FWC may dismiss an application if:

(a)the application is not made in accordance with this Act; or

(b)the application is frivolous or vexatious; or

(c)the application has no reasonable prospects of success.

Note: For another power of the FWC to dismiss an application for a remedy for unfair dismissal made under Division 5 of Part 3 2, see section 399A.

(2)      Despite paragraphs (1)(b) and (c), the FWC must not dismiss an application under section 365 or 773 on the ground that the application:

(a)is frivolous or vexatious; or

(b)has no reasonable prospects of success.

(3)The FWC may dismiss an application:

(a)on its own initiative; or

(b)on application.”

1. In Rebecca Tomas v Symbian Health [2011] FWA 5458, Commissioner Gooley stated the following with respect to the operation of s.587 of the Act:

“[57] Section 587 gives [the Fair Work Commission] the power to dismiss a matter. Section 587(a), (b) and do not limit [the Fair Work Commission’s] power to dismiss matters for other reasons.”

Consideration

1. As the Applicant has made no attempt to comply with Direction [2] and/or the Show Cause email and has failed to contact the Commission or otherwise explain their non-compliance, I have decided to dismiss their Application.

1. In dismissing the Applicant’s Application, I find that the Applicant’s non-compliance with Direction [2], and the Show Cause Email, to be wholly unexplained, and wholly unsatisfactory.

1. Pursuant to s.587(3)(a) of the Act, the Application filed by the Applicant in these proceedings is dismissed for want of prosecution. An Order dismissing the Application will be published contemporaneously with this decision.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

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