The Australian Greens Victoria

[2023] FWCA 2358

[2023] FWCA 2358

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.185—Enterprise agreement

The Australian Greens Victoria

(AG2023/2328)

AUSTRALIAN GREENS VICTORIA – AUSTRALIAN SERVICES

Union Collective Agreement 2023

Social, community, home care and disability services
DEPUTY PRESIDENT O’NEILL	MELBOURNE, 28 JULY 2023

Application for approval of the Australian Greens Victoria – Australian Services Union Collective Agreement 2023

1. An application has been made for approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Australian Greens Victoria – Australian Services Union Collective Agreement 2023 (the Agreement). The application was made pursuant to s.185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act). It has been made by The Australian Greens Victoria. The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

1. The Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022 (Cth) (Amending Act) made a number of changes to enterprise agreement approval processes in Part 2-4 of the Fair Work Act, that commenced operation on 6 June 2023.

1. Under transitional arrangements, amendments made by Part 14 of Schedule 1 to the Amending Act in relation to genuine agreement requirements for agreement approval applications apply where the notification time for the agreement was on or after 6 June 2023. The genuine agreement provisions in Part 2-4 of the Fair Work Act, as it was just before 6 June 2023, continue to apply in relation to agreement approval applications where the notification time for the agreement was before 6 June 2023. The notification time for the Agreement was before 6 June 2023. The Agreement was made on or after 6 June 2023.

1. I am satisfied that each of the requirements of ss.186, 187 and 188 as are relevant to this application for approval have been met.

1. The Australian Municipal, Administrative, Clerical and Services Union (ASU) 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. The ASU supports approval of the Agreement.

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

·           Clause 20.1 – Notice of Termination by Employer; and

·           Clause 21.1 – Abandonment of Employment by Staff Member.

However, noting clause 6 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.

1. The Agreement is approved and, in accordance with s.54 of the Act, will operate from 4 August 2023. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 30 June 2027.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

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