Mr Ashley Wittorff v MLG Oz Pty Ltd

[2014] FWC 8326

[2014] FWC 8326

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009
s.394 - Application for unfair dismissal remedy

Mr Ashley Wittorff
v
MLG Oz Pty Ltd
(U2014/8688)

COMMISSIONER CLOGHAN PERTH, 27 NOVEMBER 2014

Application for relief from unfair dismissal.

[1] On 8 August 2014, Mr Ashley Wittorff (Mr Wittorff or Applicant) made application to the Fair Work Commission (Commission) seeking a remedy for alleged unfair dismissal from his former employer, MLG Oz Pty Ltd (Employer).

[2] The application was made pursuant to s.394 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (FW Act).

[3] The application was unable to be resolved at conciliation and referred to me for arbitration on 10 September 2014.

[4] On 12 September 2014, I issued Directions for an arbitral hearing. At the conclusion of the Directions, in bolding, are the words:

“The Applicant and Employer must comply with these directions.”

[5] The parties were required to file and serve documents to which they intended to rely upon, in accordance with the Directions by 13 October 2014. The Employer and Applicant complied with the direction on 22 October 2014 and 24 October 2014 respectively.

[6] On 6 November 2014, the Applicant’s representative provided a notice ceasing to act on behalf of Mr Wittorf.

[7] The Applicant was required, by 10 November 2014, to provide his Statement of Facts, witness statements and any other documentary material to be relied upon. The Applicant did not comply with the direction.

[8] On 20 November 2014, the Employer made an application to the Commission (and copied to the Applicant) pursuant to s.399A of the FW Act, to dismiss the application because the Applicant has unreasonably failed to comply with a direction relating to the application. A copy of the application was forwarded to the Applicant. No response to the application was received from the Applicant.

[9] The Applicant has not communicated with the Commission as to why he has been unable to comply with the Commission’s Directions in relation to his application.

[10] For the above reasons, I am satisfied that the Applicant has unreasonably failed to comply with the Commission’s directions and that the application should be dismissed pursuant to s.399A(1) of the FW Act. An order to this effect is issued jointly with this decision and reasons for decision.

COMMISSIONER

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