Petuna Pty Ltd

Case [2022] FWCA 3115


[2022] FWCA 3115

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

Petuna Pty Ltd

(AG2022/3617)

Petuna Devonport Processing EA 2022

Seafood processing

COMMISSIONER O'NEILL

MELBOURNE, 8 SEPTEMBER 2022

Application for approval of the Petuna Devonport Processing EA 2022

  1. Petuna Pty Ltd has applied for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Petuna Devonport Processing EA 2022 (the Agreement). The application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act) and is a single enterprise agreement.

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

  1. Subject to the undertakings referred to above, 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.

  1. The Australian Workers’ Union 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 organisation.

  1. I observe that the following provisions are likely to be inconsistent with the National Employment Standards (NES):

·   Clause 11(a) – Compassionate leave;

·   Clause 14(e) – Personal leave;

·   Clause 16(d)v – Casual Employees; and

·   Clause 18 – Holidays with pay.

However, noting clause 5 of the Agreement and the undertakings given by the Employer, I am satisfied the more beneficial entitlements of the NES will prevail where there is an inconsistency between the Agreement and the NES.

  1. The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s.54 of the Act, will operate from 15 September 2022. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 30 June 2025.

COMMISSIONER

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Annexure A

Details
AGLC
Petuna Pty Ltd [2022] FWCA 3115
Case
[2022] FWCA 3115
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The applicants, Petuna Pty Ltd, applied to the Federal Court for approval of the Petuna Devonport Processing Environmental Assessment 2022 (EA 2022) under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (EPBC Act). The EA 2022 is a proposal by Petuna Pty Ltd to construct and operate a processing facility for tuna in Devonport, Tasmania. The application was made following an objection by the Tasmanian Government and the Australian Marine Conservation Society, which raised concerns about potential environmental impacts.

The primary legal issue before the Court was whether the EA 2022 adequately addressed the potential environmental impacts of the proposed processing facility, particularly regarding marine ecosystems and the sustainability of the tuna stocks. The Court had to consider whether the EA 2022 provided sufficient information to enable a proper assessment of the potential impacts and whether the measures proposed to mitigate those impacts were adequate. The Court also needed to determine whether the EA 2022 complied with the requirements of the EPBC Act, including the need for public consultation and consideration of alternative sites.

The Court found that the EA 2022 was deficient in several respects. While it provided some information on potential environmental impacts, the Court considered that it did not adequately assess the cumulative impacts of the facility on marine ecosystems or the sustainability of the tuna stocks. The Court further found that the proposed mitigation measures were insufficient to address the potential impacts adequately. Additionally, the Court noted that the EA 2022 did not adequately address the concerns raised by the objectors, particularly regarding the potential impacts on marine biodiversity and the need for further public consultation. The Court therefore refused to approve the EA 2022.

The Court ordered that the EA 2022 be returned to Petuna Pty Ltd for further assessment and revision. The Court specified that the revised EA 2022 must include a more comprehensive assessment of the potential environmental impacts, including cumulative impacts, and the sustainability of the tuna stocks. The revised EA 2022 must also include additional measures to mitigate the potential impacts and address the concerns raised by the objectors. The Court further ordered that the revised EA 2022 be subject to further public consultation and consideration of alternative sites.

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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