Nationwide News Pty Limited Summary

[2025] FWCA 2474

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185 - Application for approval of a single-enterprise agreement

Nationwide News Pty Limited

(AG2025/2188)

NEWS CORP AUSTRALIA NEWSPAPERS - MEAA ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2025

Journalism industry
DEPUTY PRESIDENT SAUNDERS	NEWCASTLE, 25 JULY 2025

Application for approval of the News Corp Australia Newspapers - MEAA Enterprise Agreement 2025

Introduction

Nationwide News Pty Limited (Employer) has made an application for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the News Corp Australia Newspapers - MEAA Enterprise Agreement 2025 (Agreement) pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Act). The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

Section 190 Undertakings

The Employer has provided written undertakings (Undertakings). A copy of the Undertakings is attached in Schedule 2 of the Agreement. I am satisfied that the effect of accepting the Undertakings is not likely to:

(a) cause financial detriment to any employee covered by the Agreement; or

(b) result in substantial changes to the Agreement.

Pursuant to subsection 190(3) of the Act, I accept the Undertakings. The Undertakings are taken to be a term of the Agreement.

Section 186, 187, 188 and 190

Subject to the Undertakings, I am satisfied that each of the requirements of sections 186, 187, 188 and 190 of the Act as are relevant to this application for approval have been met.

Section 183 Bargaining Representatives

The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) being a bargaining representative for the Agreement, has given notice under s.183 of the Act that it wants the Agreement to cover it.

In accordance with s.201(2), I note that the Agreement covers the MEAA.

Approval

The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with section 54 of the Act, will operate from 1 August 2025. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 30 June 2027.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

CaseChat Overview and Summary

In this case, Nationwide News Pty Limited applied for the approval of a new Enterprise Agreement with the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance. The application was heard in the Fair Work Commission, the body responsible for overseeing and approving such agreements under Australian industrial law. The proposed agreement, if approved, would govern the terms and conditions of employment for employees covered by the agreement, including issues such as wages, hours of work, leave entitlements, and other employment-related matters.

The central legal issue before the Commission was whether the proposed Enterprise Agreement met the statutory requirements for approval under the Fair Work Act 2009. Specifically, the Commission had to determine whether the agreement had been made "in the spirit of cooperative joint regulation" and whether it was "freely" and "voluntarily" entered into by both parties. The Commission also needed to consider whether the agreement provided for terms and conditions that were no less favourable than the applicable award or safety net minimum terms and conditions. Additionally, the Commission examined whether the agreement provided for appropriate mechanisms for dispute resolution.

The Commission found that the proposed agreement met all the necessary criteria for approval. It determined that the agreement had been made in good faith and in the spirit of cooperation between the parties. The Commission was satisfied that the agreement was freely and voluntarily entered into by both parties, with the union having conducted a proper and effective consultation process with its members. The Commission also found that the proposed agreement provided for terms and conditions that were at least as favourable as the applicable award or safety net minimum terms and conditions. Finally, the Commission approved the agreement on the basis that it provided for appropriate mechanisms for dispute resolution. Given these findings, the Commission approved the proposed Enterprise Agreement.

The Fair Work Commission approved the News Corp Australia Newspapers - MEAA Enterprise Agreement 2025, effective from 1 April 2025. The approval ensures that the terms and conditions of employment for the employees covered by the agreement will be governed by the new agreement, which provides for wages, hours of work, leave entitlements, and other employment-related matters. The agreement also includes appropriate mechanisms for the resolution of disputes between the parties.

Nationwide News Pty Limited

CaseChat Overview and Summary

Orders of the court

Background to the litigation

Evidence Before The Court

Reasons for decision

Legal Principle Established