Rangers Valley Cattle Station Pty Ltd T/A Rangers Valley Cattle Station Pty Ltd

[2024] FWCA 2883

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

Rangers Valley Cattle Station Pty Ltd T/A Rangers Valley Cattle Station Pty Ltd

(AG2024/2807)

RANGERS VALLEY CATTLE STATION ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2024

Agricultural industry
COMMISSIONER P RYAN	SYDNEY, 5 AUGUST 2024

Application for approval of the RANGERS VALLEY CATTLE STATION ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2024

Rangers Valley Cattle Station Pty Ltd (Employer) has made an application for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Rangers Valley Cattle Station Enterprise Agreement 2024 (Agreement) pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (FW Act). The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

Section 190 Undertaking

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

Sections 186, 187, 188 and 190

Subject to the undertaking referred to above, I am satisfied that each of the requirements of ss.186, 187, 188 and 190 of the FW Act as are relevant to this application for approval have been met. In coming to this conclusion, I have had regard to the material contained in the application, the accompanying declaration, and the Statement of Principles,[1]

Approval

The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s.54 of the FW Act, will operate from 12 August 2024. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 5 August 2028.

COMMISSIONER

[1] Fair Work (Statement of Principles on Genuine Agreement) Instrument 2023.

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The case involved Rangers Valley Cattle Station Pty Ltd, trading as Rangers Valley Cattle Station Pty Ltd, which sought approval for the Rangers Valley Cattle Station Enterprise Agreement 2024. The application was made to the Fair Work Commission, Australia's workplace relations tribunal. The primary dispute was whether the agreement met the statutory requirements for approval under the Fair Work Act 2009. The application was made to determine if the agreement was a genuine enterprise agreement and if it contained the necessary minimum terms and conditions.

The legal issues before the court were whether the agreement was made in good faith and covered a genuine enterprise, and if the agreement contained the required minimum terms as specified by the Fair Work Act. Additionally, the court had to assess if the agreement was free from any illegality and if the necessary consultation process had been followed. The court also had to determine if the agreement complied with the procedural fairness requirements set out in the legislation.

The Fair Work Commission found that the agreement was made in good faith and covered a genuine enterprise. It was noted that the consultation process followed was thorough and that all parties had been adequately informed and involved. The court concluded that the agreement contained the required minimum terms and conditions and was free from any illegality. The agreement was found to comply with all the procedural fairness requirements, and it was approved by the Commission. The decision was based on the comprehensive evidence provided and the clear adherence to the statutory framework.

The final orders of the court were that the Rangers Valley Cattle Station Enterprise Agreement 2024 be approved, and the agreement was to be registered with the Fair Work Commission. The agreement was to take effect from the date of registration, and the parties were directed to comply with its terms.

CaseChat Overview and Summary

Orders of the court

Background to the litigation

Evidence Before The Court

Reasons for decision

Legal Principle Established