Mitolo Group Pty Ltd T/A Mitolo Family Farms

[2024] FWCFB 295

[2024] FWCFB 295 [Note: A copy of the zombie agreement to which this decision relates (AC324160) is available on our website.]

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 2009

Sch. 3, Item 20A(4) - Application to extend default period for agreement-based transitional instruments

Mitolo Group Pty Ltd T/A Mitolo Family Farms

(AG2024/1996)

THE MITOLO GROUP EMPLOYEE COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT PROCESS EMPLOYEES

Agricultural industry

DEPUTY PRESIDENT WRIGHT
DEPUTY PRESIDENT SLEVIN       COMMISSIONER CRAWFORD SYDNEY, 26 JUNE 2024

Application to extend the default period for The Mitolo Group Employee Collective Agreement Process Employees

1. Pursuant to subitem 20A(4) of Sch 3 to the Fair Work (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 2009 (Cth), Mitolo Group Pty Ltd has applied to extend the default period for The Mitolo Group Employee Collective Agreement Process Employees (the Agreement).

1. The Applicant lodged an earlier application on 8 November 2023 pursuant to 20A(4) of Sch 3 to the Transitional Act to extend the default period of the Agreement. In a decision issued on 1 December 2023 the Full Bench ordered that the default period for the Agreement be extended until 7 June 2024 to allow time for a replacement agreement to be made and approved.[1]

[2]

1. The current application lodged on 4 June 2024 seeks to extend the agreement until 7 July 2024. The application was made, in accordance with subitem (6)(b), on the ground that it is reasonable in the circumstances to extend the default period in circumstances where an enterprise agreement has been made that covers the same employees covered by the Agreement and an application has been made to have the replacement agreement approved by the Commission under the Fair Work Act 2009. An application to approve the replacement agreement was lodged with the Commission on 9 April 2024. At the time the current application was made the replacement agreement had not yet been approved by the Commission. 

1. The Commission has since approved the replacement agreement.[3] The replacement agreement commenced operation on 20 June 2024. The purpose of the extension is to ensure the Agreement continued to apply for the period between the extended date of 7 June 2024 up until the replacement enterprise agreement commenced. 

1. We are satisfied for the purpose of subitem (6)(b) that it is reasonable to extend the default period for the Agreement.

1. Pursuant to item 20A(4) of Sch 3 to the Transitional Act, we order that the default period for the Agreement is extended until 20 June 2024.

[7] The Agreement is published, in accordance with subitem 20A(10A)(c), on  the  Fair Work Commission’s website.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

[1] [2023] FWCFB 228.

[3]  [2024] FWCA 2184.

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<AC324160 PR776444>