In the making of the Central Highlands Regional Council Certified Agreement 2024-2027

[2025] QIRC 59

QUEENSLAND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS COMMISSION

CITATION:

In the making of the Central Highlands Regional Council Certified Agreement 2024-2027 [2025] QIRC 059

PARTIES:

Central Highlands Regional Council

AND

The Australian Workers’ Union of Employees, Queensland

Queensland Services, Industrial Union of Employees

Construction, Forestry, Mining & Energy, Industrial Union of Employees, Queensland

Automotive, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Industrial Union of Employees, Queensland

Plumbers & Gasfitters Employees’ Union Queensland, Union of Employees

CASE NO:

CB/2025/3

PROCEEDING:

Application for certification of an agreement

DELIVERED ON:

26 February 2025

HEARING DATE: 

26 February 2025

MEMBER:

Gazenbeek IC

HEARD AT:

Brisbane

ORDER:

The Central Highlands Regional Council Certified Agreement 2024-2027 is certified.

CATCHWORDS:

INDUSTRIAL LAW – COLLECTIVE BARGAINING – application for certification of an agreement – requirements for certification – agreement certified

LEGISLATION:

Industrial Relations Act 2016 (Qld) ss 189, 191, 193, 216, 227, 228

APPEARANCES:

R. Dennison for the Central Highlands Regional Council

C. Taylor for the Australian Workers’ Union of Employees, Queensland

J. Dougall for Queensland Services, Industrial Union of Employees

E. Dalgliesh for Construction, Forestry, Mining & Energy, Industrial Union of Employees, Queensland

Reasons for Decision

1. On 14 February 2025, Central Highlands Regional Council (‘the Council’) applied, pursuant to s 189(1) of the Industrial Relations Act 2016 (‘the Act’), to certify the Central Highlands Regional Council Certified Agreement 2024-2027 (‘the agreement’).

2. The named parties to the agreement are the Council and the following employee organisations (‘the employee organisations’):

   ·The Australian Workers’ Union of Employees, Queensland (‘AWU’);

   ·Queensland Services, Industrial Union of Employees (‘QSU’);

   ·Construction, Forestry, Mining & Energy, Industrial Union of Employees, Queensland (‘CFMEU’);

   ·Automotive, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Industrial Union of Employees, Queensland (‘AMEPKU’); and

   ·Plumbers & Gasfitters Employees’ Union Queensland, Union of Employees (‘PGEU’).

3. The hearing of this application was listed before the Commission on 26 February 2025. More than 7 days’ notice of this hearing date was provided by the Industrial Registry.[1] 

   [1] Industrial Relations Act 2016 (Qld), s 191.

4. At the hearing on 26 February 2025, the Council, AWU, QSU, and CFMEU each confirmed their support of the application to certify the agreement.

5. The PGEU[2] and AMEPKU[3] sought leave to be excused from attending the hearing prior to its commencement, on the basis that they supported the application and consented to the certification of the agreement.

   [2] Letter from Mr G. O’Halloran (State Secretary) to the Industrial Registry, dated 18 February 2025.

   [3] Letter from Mr R. Webb (State Secretary) to the Industrial Registry, dated 24 February 2025.

6. The agreement applies to the Council, the employee organisations, and all Council employees (except where specifically excluded) covered by the following awards:

   ·Queensland Local Government Industry (Stream A) Award – State 2017;

   ·Queensland Local Government Industry (Stream B) Award – State 2017;

   ·Queensland Local Government Industry (Stream C) Award – State 2017; and

   ·Training Wage Award – State 2012.

7. The agreement, as attached to the application to certify, has been signed by all named parties to the agreement. The application was also made within 21 days of the date on which the agreement was signed by all named parties.[4]

   [4] Industrial Relations Act 2016 (Qld), s 189(3).

8. Having regard to the submissions made by the parties who appeared today, and to the materials filed, I am satisfied that:[5]

   (a) each of the relevant requirements in ch 4 pt 5 div 2 sub-div 2 of the Act have been satisfied; and

   (b) there is nothing in the agreement which would require me to refuse to grant the application pursuant to ch 4 pt 5 div 2 sub-div 3 of the Act.

   [5] Ibid, s 193.

9. Accordingly, the application to certify the Central Highlands Regional Council Certified Agreement 2024-2027 is granted.

10. The agreement operates from the date it is certified,[6] namely 26 February 2025. While the agreement has a nominal expiry date of 30 June 2027, the agreement will continue to operate until it is terminated under section 227 or 228 of the Act.[7]

    [6] Ibid, s 216(1).

    [7] Ibid, s 216(2).

11. I make the following order:

    The Central Highlands Regional Council Certified Agreement 2024-2027 is certified.