Transport Workers' Union of Australia v The Trustee for Kent Relocation Group Pty Ltd as Trustee for the Dace Trust

Case [2025] FWC 3090


[2025] FWC 3090

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.437 - Application for a protected action ballot order

Transport Workers' Union of Australia
v

The Trustee for Kent Relocation Group Pty Ltd as Trustee for the Dace Trust

(B2025/1580)

DEPUTY PRESIDENT WRIGHT

SYDNEY, 15 OCTOBER 2025

Proposed protected action ballot of employees of The Trustee for Kent Relocation Group Pty Ltd as Trustee for the Dace Trust – non-AEC ballot agent electronic voting

  1. This is an application by the WA branch of the Transport Workers' Union of Australia (TWU or Applicant) made under s.437 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Act) for a protected action ballot order in relation to certain employees of The Trustee for Kent Relocation Group Pty Ltd as Trustee for the Dace Trust (Kent Relocation Group or Employer).

  1. On 15 October 2025, the Commission was advised that the Employer, in effect, did not object to the Application.

  1. In the circumstances, I have decided to grant leave to amend the application and determine the matter on the papers without holding a hearing.

  1. On the basis of the material before me, including the declaration of Robert Taylor, Organiser, setting out the steps taken by the TWU in bargaining with the Employer and that it has been, and is, genuinely trying to reach agreement with Kent Relocation Group, I am satisfied that there is a notification time in relation to the proposed agreement and that all of  the requirements in s.443(1) of the Act have been met.

  1. The ballot is to be conducted by Vero Engagement & Voting Solutions Pty Ltd (Vero Voting). Vero Voting has been approved as an eligible protected action ballot agent under s.468A of the Act and consequently is authorised to conduct the ballot.

  1. For the purposes of s.443(3)(c) of the Act, the Commission has determined that the date by which voting is to close is 29 October 2025.[1] This also establishes the ballot period for the purpose of s.448A(2) of the Act.

  1. An Order has been separately issued in PR792674.

  2. This matter will be assigned to another Member of the Commission to conduct the s.448A compulsory conciliation conference. That Member will issue an Order requiring the attendance of all bargaining representatives in the proposed enterprise agreement at the conference. It is likely that Directions will also be issued to ensure that the parties attend the conference ready to conduct meaningful negotiations.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT


[1] This is, in effect, 10 working days from the making of the Order and was the period sought in the application.

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<PR792675>

Details
AGLC
Transport Workers' Union of Australia v The Trustee for Kent Relocation Group Pty Ltd as Trustee for the Dace Trust [2025] FWC 3090
Case
[2025] FWC 3090
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The Transport Workers' Union of Australia (TWU) filed an application under section 437 of the Fair Work Act 2009, seeking a protected action ballot order for employees of The Trustee for Kent Relocation Group Pty Ltd as Trustee for the Dace Trust. The application aimed to allow the employees to vote on proposed industrial action, with Vero Engagement & Voting Solutions Pty Ltd designated as the ballot agent. The Trustee for Kent Relocation Group Pty Ltd, the employer, did not object to the application, leading the Commission to grant leave to amend the application and determine the matter on the papers without a hearing.

The primary legal issue before the Commission was whether the requirements for a protected action ballot under the Fair Work Act were met. This included verifying the union's genuine efforts in bargaining with the employer and determining the notification period. The Commission also had to ascertain whether Vero Voting was an approved ballot agent and set a closing date for the ballot. The application sought a specific timeline for the ballot, which would conclude on 29 October 2025, matching the period requested by the TWU.

The Deputy President of the Commission, Wright, found that the TWU had genuinely engaged in bargaining with the employer and met all the statutory requirements for a protected action ballot. Vero Voting was approved as an eligible ballot agent under the Act, and the closing date for the ballot was set at 29 October 2025, effectively 10 working days from the order. Consequently, the Commission granted the application, allowing the ballot to proceed as requested. The matter will be referred to another member for a compulsory conciliation conference under section 448A of the Act, with orders and directions to be issued to ensure meaningful negotiations.

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

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Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

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