Origin Energy Limited

Case [2021] FWCA 2170


[2021] FWCA 2170
FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION


Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

Origin Energy Limited
(AG2021/4362)

ORIGIN ENERGY (LPG BRISBANE) ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2020

Oil and gas industry

DEPUTY PRESIDENT YOUNG

MELBOURNE, 20 APRIL 2021

Application for approval of the Origin Energy (LPG Brisbane) Enterprise Agreement 2020.

[1] Origin Energy Limited (the Employer) has made an application for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Origin Energy (LPG Brisbane) Enterprise Agreement 2020 (the Agreement) pursuant to s 185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). The Agreement is a single-enterprise agreement.

[2] The Employer has provided written undertakings. A copy of the undertakings is attached at Annexure A. I am satisfied that the undertakings will not cause financial detriment to any employee covered by the Agreement and the undertakings will not result in substantial changes to the Agreement. The undertakings are taken to be a term of the Agreement.

[3] Subject to the undertakings referred to above, and on the basis of the material contained in the application, and the accompanying statutory declaration and the additional information provided by the Employer, I am satisfied that each of the requirements of ss 186, 187, 188 and 190 as are relevant to this application for approval have been met.

[4] Pursuant to s 202(4) of the Act, the model flexibility term prescribed by the Fair Work Regulations 2009 is taken to be a term of the Agreement.

[5] I observe that clause 7.3.2 of the Agreement is likely to be inconsistent with the National Employment Standards (NES). However, noting clause 3.5 of the Agreement, I am satisfied the more beneficial entitlements of the NES will prevail where there is an inconsistency between the Agreement and the NES.

[6] The Transport Workers' Union of Australia, being a bargaining representative for the Agreement, has given notice under s 183 of the Act that it seeks to be covered by the Agreement. In accordance with s 201(2) and based on the statutory declaration provided by the organisation, I note that the Agreement covers the organisation.

[7] The Agreement was approved on 20 April 2021 and, in accordance with s 54, will operate from 27 April 2021. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 7 September 2021.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

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Annexure A

Details
AGLC
Origin Energy Limited [2021] FWCA 2170
Case
[2021] FWCA 2170
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

Origin Energy Limited applied to the Fair Work Commission for approval of the Origin Energy (LPG Brisbane) Enterprise Agreement 2020. The application was made by Origin Energy Limited, a major energy retailer, and the dispute centred on the terms of employment for employees within the LPG Brisbane division. The Fair Work Commission was the court responsible for assessing the application and determining whether the agreement met the statutory requirements for approval.

The central legal issue was whether the enterprise agreement provided a safety net of minimum terms and conditions that were no less favourable than the relevant industrial instrument or the National Employment Standards. The court had to examine the agreement's provisions to ascertain whether they met these criteria and whether any provisions could be disregarded as not having a direct or indirect relationship with the employment relationship.

The Fair Work Commission determined that the enterprise agreement satisfied the necessary requirements for approval. The agreement was found to provide a safety net of minimum terms and conditions that were no less favourable than the relevant industrial instrument or the National Employment Standards. The Commission also considered that the provisions could be disregarded as not having a direct or indirect relationship with the employment relationship, where appropriate. The court ultimately approved the application, and the enterprise agreement was registered.

The Fair Work Commission's decision was to approve the application for the registration of the Origin Energy (LPG Brisbane) Enterprise Agreement 2020, as it met the statutory requirements for approval. The agreement was registered, and the terms and conditions contained within it became applicable to the employees of the LPG Brisbane division.

Orders

Orders of the court

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Background

Background to the litigation

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Evidence

Evidence Before The Court

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Decision

Reasons for decision

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Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

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