L.U.

[2017] FWC 4720

[2017] FWC 4720

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009
s.789FC - Application for an order to stop bullying

L.U.
(AB2017/446)

COMMISSIONER WILSON MELBOURNE, 12 SEPTEMBER 2017

Application for an FWC order to stop bullying.

[1] On 15 August 2017, L.U. made an application for an order to stop bullying under s.789FC of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act).

[2] The application form (Form F72) filed by L.U. in the Fair Work Commission (the Commission) was accompanied by the relevant waiver application.

[3] Sections 789FC(3) and (4) of the Act deal with application fees and state as follows:

“789FC Application for an FWC order to stop bullying

...

(3) The application must be accompanied by any fee prescribed by the regulations.

(4) The regulations may prescribe:

(a) a fee for making an application to the FWC under this section; and

(b) a method for indexing the fee; and

(c) the circumstances in which all or part of the fee may be waived or refunded.”

[4] The Fair Work Regulations 2009 prescribe a filing fee and the circumstances under which a waiver can be considered. Regulation 6.07A(7) provides as follows:

‘If the FWC is satisfied that the person making an application will suffer serious hardship if the person is required to pay the fee, no fee is payable for making the application.’

[5] The waiver application was considered by the Panel Head for the Anti-Bullying jurisdiction. Based on the information disclosed in the waiver application, the Commission determined on balance that L.U. would not suffer serious hardship if required to pay this filing fee.

[6] On 17 August, L.U. was advised by letter that her application for a waiver of the required filing fee had been refused and that payment of the fee was required if she wished to proceed with the application. The Commission also made attempts to contact L.U. by telephone to advise her of the outcome of the waiver application.

[7] On 22 August L.U. wrote to the Commission querying why her waiver application had been denied. The Commission responded, providing a contact number for L.U. to call for further information.

[8] On 24 August the Commission made a further unsuccessful attempt to contact L.U. in relation to the matter.

[9] Further, later on 24 August, the Commission wrote to L.U. in relation to the matter. L.U. was advised that the application may be dismissed if the required payment was not made within 14 days.

[10] No further response has been received from L.U. The payment of the required fee has not been made and no further action has been taken by her or on her behalf.

[11] Section 587(1) of the Act provides:

“587 Dismissing applications

(1) Without limiting when the FWC may dismiss an application, the FWC may dismiss an application if:

(a) the application is not made in accordance with this Act; or

(b) the application is frivolous or vexatious; or

(c) the application has no reasonable prospects of success.”

[12] In considering all the circumstances, I am satisfied that the relevant application was not accompanied by the prescribed fee under the Act and has not been made in accordance with the Act. On one view there is not a proper application before the Commission and no further action is required. However, a non-compliant application is directly contemplated by s.587(1)(a) of the Act, and as a matter of abundant caution, I am satisfied that it is appropriate in all of the circumstances to dismiss the application.

[13] Accordingly, the application is dismissed under s.587(1)(a) of the Act.

COMMISSIONER

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