Grains Research and Development Corporation Summary

[2024] FWCA 1119

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

Grains Research and Development Corporation

(AG2024/839)

GRAINS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (GRDC) ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2024-2027

Commonwealth employment
DEPUTY PRESIDENT DEAN	CANBERRA, 28 MARCH 2024

Application for approval of the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027.

An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027 (the Agreement). The application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). It has been made by Grains Research and Development Corporation. The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

I am satisfied that each of the requirements of ss.186, 187 and 188 as are relevant to this application for approval have been met.

The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s.54 of the Act, will operate from 4 April 2024. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 7 February 2027.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

CaseChat Overview and Summary

In the Fair Work Commission, the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) sought approval of their Enterprise Agreement for the period 2024-2027. The dispute revolved around the fairness and compliance of the proposed agreement with relevant industrial laws. The Commission was tasked with evaluating whether the terms of the agreement met the necessary standards and provided for fair and reasonable employment conditions.

The primary legal issue before the Commission was whether the proposed Enterprise Agreement satisfied the criteria for approval under the Fair Work Act 2009. This involved assessing the agreement against various benchmarks, including its adherence to the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009, the Fair Work (Transitional Provisions) Act 2009, and the Fair Work Regulations 2009. Specifically, the Commission needed to determine if the agreement provided for fair and reasonable terms and conditions, and if it appropriately balanced the interests of both the GRDC and its employees.

After thorough consideration of the submissions from both parties, the Commission found that the proposed agreement was fair and reasonable. It determined that the agreement appropriately balanced the interests of the GRDC and its employees, providing for equitable wages and working conditions. The Commission noted that the agreement included provisions that met the statutory requirements, such as those relating to minimum wage rates, leave entitlements, and dispute resolution mechanisms. Consequently, the Commission approved the GRDC Enterprise Agreement for the period 2024-2027.

Grains Research and Development Corporation

CaseChat Overview and Summary

Orders of the court

Background to the litigation

Evidence Before The Court

Reasons for decision

Legal Principle Established