National Retail Association Limited, Union of Employers

The National Retail Association Limited and Union of Employers applied for a declaration that the Mount Isa Mines Rotary Rodeo would be considered a "special event" for the purposes of the Trading (Allowable Hours) Act 1990. The application was brought before the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission, and the Commission was required to decide whether to classify the event as special under the Act. The Commission found that the Mount Isa Rodeo was of sporting significance and was significant to the local economy and tourism industry. The Commission was also persuaded by a media statement from the Minister for Innovation and Tourism Industry Development, who described the rodeo as "the largest rodeo in the southern hemisphere, attracting more than 600 competitors from around Australia and offering $230,000 in prize money and buckles".

The Commission concluded that the Mount Isa Rodeo was a unique event of local, State and possibly national significance. It was satisfied that the event was a "special event" for the purposes of section 5 of the Act. The Commission was further persuaded that the Mt Isa Rodeo was of sporting significance, and that the event was significant to the Mt Isa economy and tourism industry. The Commission found that there were no objections to the application, and no submission by a local government for an area in which the declaration is likely to have an impact. The Commission made a declaration that the Mount Isa Mines Rotary Rodeo is a special event for the purposes of section 5(1)(c)(ii) of the Act. The declaration shall apply for a period commencing on 7 August 2019 and shall continue up to and including 11 August 2019. The declaration applies to an area from a point on the eastern bank of the Leichhardt River, at its intersection with Isa Street, travelling eastward along Isa Street until the intersection with Gray Street, turning northwards along Gray street and continuing in the same direction on an imaginary line to the intersection of the Barkley Highway, then travelling northwards along Atherton Street until the intersection with Mary Street, then travelling westwards along Mary Street and continuing beyond the intersection of West Street on an imaginary line until meeting the Leichhardt River, then in a southerly direction along the eastern bank of the Leichhardt River to its intersection with Isa Street.