Kinetic Fleet Services Pty Ltd

[2025] FWCA 466

[2025] FWCA 466

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

Kinetic Fleet Services Pty Ltd

(AG2024/5294)

KINETIC FLEET SERVICES - MACKAY FLEET AGREEMENT 2024

Manufacturing and associated industries
DEPUTY PRESIDENT DOBSON	BRISBANE, 5 FEBRUARY 2025

Application for approval of the Kinetic Fleet Services – Mackay Fleet Agreement 2024

1. This decision deals with an application made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Kinetic Fleet Services – Mackay Fleet Agreement 2024 (the Agreement). The Application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act) by Kinetic Fleet Services Pty Ltd (the Applicant). The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

1. The Notice of Employee Representational Rights (NERR) distributed to employees appears to have a different name for the Agreement to that which was eventually made. However, I am satisfied that the Agreement would have been genuinely agreed to but for the minor procedural departure from the prescribed form requirements of the NERR under s.174(1A) of the Act and that the employees covered by the Agreement were not likely to have been disadvantaged by this. Accordingly, I exercise the discretion conferred by s.188(5) of the Act.[1]

1. Correspondence was sent to the Employer by my Chambers raising a concern about the loaded rates of pay apply to casuals. The Applicant advised that the engagement of casual employees on flat rates are not reasonably foreseeable and therefore on the basis of the types and patterns of work reasonably foreseeable, the BOOT could be satisfied. I am consequently satisfied that per s. 193A(6A) of the Act no detriment would be afforded to those lesser conditions on the basis of types and patterns of work that are reasonably foreseeable for the purposes of s.193A(6) of the Act and the better off overall test. I note that should this change that pursuant to s.227A of the Act, application may be made for the future reconsideration of whether the agreement passes the BOOT during the life of the Agreement.

1. The Applicant has provided written undertakings. I am satisfied that the undertakings will not cause financial detriment to any employee covered by the Agreement and that the undertakings will not result in substantial changes to the Agreement.

1. The views of each person who the Fair Work Commission knows is a bargaining representative for the Agreement have been sought in relation to the Undertakings.

1. Pursuant to s.190(3) of the Act, I accept the undertakings.

1. Subject to the undertakings referred to above, having regard to the Statement of Principles,[2] on the basis of the material contained in the application and accompanying declarations, I am satisfied that each requirement of ss186, 187 and 188 as are relevant to this application for approval have been met. The undertakings are taken to be a term of the Agreement.

1. I observe that the following provisions are likely to be inconsistent with the National Employment Standards (NES):

·   Clause 6.3 – Maximum weekly hours.

·   Clause 27.2 – Public Holidays.

However, noting clause 5 of the Agreement, I am satisfied the more beneficial entitlements of the NES will prevail where there is an inconsistency between the Agreement and the NES.

1. The Agreement is approved and will operate in accordance with s.54 of the Act. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 4 February 2029.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

[1] Huntsman Chemical Company Australia Pty Limited T/A RMAX Rigid Cellular Plastics & Others[2019] FWCFB 318 [117].

[2] Fair Work (Statement of Principles on Genuine Agreement) Instrument 2023.

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