In the termination of the Department of Education Certified Agreement 2019

[2023] QIRC 139

QUEENSLAND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS COMMISSION

CITATION:        

In the termination of the Department of Education Certified Agreement 2019 [2023] QIRC 139

State of Queensland (Department of Education)

AND

Together Queensland, Industrial Union of Employees

CASE NO.:

CB/2023/50

PROCEEDING:

Termination of an agreement

DELIVERED ON:

24 May 2023

HEARING DATE: 

24 May 2023

MEMBER:

Power IC

HEARD AT:

Brisbane

ORDER:

The Department of Education Certified Agreement 2019 is terminated.

CATCHWORDS:

INDUSTRIAL LAW – QUEENSLAND – AGREEMENTS – application for termination of agreement after nominal expiry date – requirements for termination – agreement terminated

LEGISLATION:

Industrial Relations Act 2016 (Qld), ss 189 and 228

APPEARANCES:

Ms J. Grant- Vicig and Ms S. Hellmrich for the Department of Education

Mr K. McKay for Together Queensland, Industrial Union of Employees

Reasons for Decision

1. On 15 May 2023, the State of Queensland (Department of Education) ('the Applicant') applied, pursuant to s 228(1) of the Industrial Relations Act 2016 (Qld) ('the Act'), to terminate the Department of Education Certified Agreement 2019 ('the certified agreement').

1. The certified agreement has a nominal expiry date of 31 August 2022.

1. Section 228 of the Act provides:

   228     Termination after nominal expiry date

   (1)After the nominal expiry date of a certified agreement or arbitration determination, the following persons may apply to the commission to terminate the agreement or determination—

   (a)the employer;

   (b)a valid majority of the relevant employees;

   (c)an employee organisation to which the agreement or determination applies and that has at least 1 member who is a relevant employee.

   (2)The person who intends to apply to terminate the agreement or determination must give all other persons to whom the agreement or determination applies notice of the intention.

   (3)The commission must approve the termination if, and must refuse to approve the termination unless, satisfied subsection (2) has been complied with and—

   (a)for an agreement or determination that provides that it may be terminated if particular conditions are met—the conditions have been met; or

   (b)for an agreement or determination that does not provide for the way it may be terminated—

   (i)the other parties to the agreement or determination agree to it being terminated; and

   (ii)termination of the agreement or determination is not contrary to the public interest.

   (4)The termination takes effect when the commission's approval takes effect.

2. I have had regard to:

   (a)the submissions made by the parties who appeared today; and

   (b)the affidavit of Ms Helen McAuliffe of the Applicant.

3. The certified agreement does not provide that particular conditions need to be met before it may be terminated.

4. I am satisfied that the Applicant has given the requisite notice of its intention to apply to terminate the certified agreement.

5. On 15 May 2023, the Applicant made an application, pursuant to s 189 of the Act, to certify the Department of Education Certified Agreement 2022.

1. The Applicant and the following employee organisations have agreed to the terms of the Department of Education Certified Agreement 2022 which will replace the certified agreement:

   (a)Together Queensland, Industrial Union of Employees

2. I am satisfied that:

   (a)all parties to the certified agreement agree to it being terminated; and

   (b)the termination of the certified agreement is not contrary to the public interest.

3. Section 228(4) of the Act provides that termination takes effect when the Commission's approval takes effect.

1. I approve the termination of the Department of Education Certified Agreement 2019 with effect from 24 May 2023.

1. I make the following order:

The Department of Education Certified Agreement 2019 is terminated.