Health Services Union v The Trustees of the Roman Catholic Church for the Diocese of Lismore (St Vincent's Hospital)

[2025] FWC 2822

[2025] FWC 2822

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.437 - Application for a protected action ballot order

Health Services Union
v

The Trustees of The Roman Catholic Church for The Diocese of Lismore (St Vincent's Hospital)

(B2025/1477)

DEPUTY PRESIDENT WRIGHT SYDNEY, 22 SEPTEMBER 2025

Proposed protected action ballot of employees of The Trustees Of The Roman Catholic Church For The Diocese Of Lismore (St Vincent's Hospital)

1. This is an application by the Health Services Union acting through its NSW/ACT/Qld branch (HSU or Applicant) made under s.437 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Act) for a protected action ballot order in relation to certain employees of The Trustees of The Roman Catholic Church for The Diocese Of Lismore (St Vincent's Hospital) (St Vincent’s or Employer). 

1. On 19 September 2025, the Commission was advised that the Employer, in effect, did not object to the Application. 

1. In the circumstances, I have decided to grant leave to amend the application to confirm the correct legal entity of the employer and  determine the matter on the papers without holding a hearing. 

1. On the basis of the material before me, including the declaration of Maisie Knight, Organiser, setting out the steps taken by the HSU in bargaining with the Employer and that it has been, and is, genuinely trying to reach agreement with St Vincent’s, I am satisfied that there is a notification time in relation to the proposed agreement and that all of  the requirements in s.443(1) of the Act have been met. 

1. The ballot is to be conducted by Fair Vote Services Pty Ltd (Fair Vote). Fair Vote has been approved as an eligible protected action ballot agent under s.468A of the Act and consequently is authorised to conduct the ballot. 

1. For the purposes of s.443(3)(c) of the Act, the Commission has determined that the date by which voting is to close is 7 October 2025.[1] This also establishes the ballot period for the purpose of s.448A(2) of the Act. 

1. An Order has been separately issued in PR791963.

1. This matter will be assigned to another Member of the Commission to conduct the s.448A compulsory conciliation conference. That Member will issue an Order requiring the attendance of all bargaining representatives in the proposed enterprise agreement at the conference. It is likely that Directions will also be issued to ensure that the parties attend the conference ready to conduct meaningful negotiations. 

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

[1] This is, in effect, 10 working days from the making of the Order and was the period sought in the application.

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<PR791964>