v Country Fire Authority

Case [2025] FWC 1732


[2025] FWC 1732

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.459 - Application to extend the 30 day period in which industrial action is authorised by protected action ballot

Australian Municipal, Administrative, Clerical and Services Union

v

Country Fire Authority

(B2025/954)

DEPUTY PRESIDENT HAMPTON

ADELAIDE, 19 JUNE 2025

Application to extend the 30 day period in relation to B2025/686.

  1. This matter concerns the declaration of the result of a protected action ballot PR786877 held in matter B2025/686 and declared on 22 May 2025.

  1. The Australian Municipal, Administrative, Clerical and Services Union has made an application pursuant to s.459(3) of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Act) to extend the 30 day period in which industrial action is authorised by the relevant protected action ballot.

  1. Section 459(3) of the Act provides as follows:

“(3) The FWC may extend the 30-day period referred to in subparagraph (1)(d)(i) by up to 30 days if:

(a) an applicant for the protected action ballot order applies to the FWC for the period to be extended; and

(b)     the period has not previously been extended.”

  1. The application contends that each of the relevant requirements have been met and that the period should be extended by a further 30 days from the expiry of the original 30 days.

  1. Country Fire Authority has not advised the Commission of any objection to this application.

  1. I am satisfied that the relevant requirements of the Act have been met and that the application should be granted.

  1. Accordingly, pursuant to section 459(3) of the Act, I order that the 30 day period for the commencement of protected industrial action for eligible employees who were subject to the ballot and are employed by the Employer be extended by a further 30 days.

  1. This order will operate on and from 21 June 2025.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<PR788382>

Details
AGLC
v Country Fire Authority [2025] FWC 1732
Case
[2025] FWC 1732
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

In the matter of the Australian Municipal, Administrative, Clerical and Services Union (AMACS) against the Country Fire Authority (CFA), the Fair Work Commission (FWC) was called upon to consider an application to extend the 30-day period within which industrial action could be authorised by a protected action ballot. The AMACS sought to extend the period authorised by ballot PR786877, declared on 22 May 2025, as per section 459(3) of the Fair Work Act 2009. The CFA did not oppose the application.

The legal issues before the FWC were whether the AMACS had met the statutory requirements to warrant an extension of the 30-day period for protected industrial action. This included confirming that the application for extension was made by the applicant for the protected action ballot order and that the period had not been extended before. Additionally, the FWC had to determine if the application was made within the timeframes prescribed by the Act.

The Deputy President Hampton concluded that the AMACS had satisfied the requirements under section 459(3) of the Act. Given that the CFA did not object to the application, and no other impediments were apparent, the Deputy President was satisfied with the application's merits. Therefore, the FWC ordered an extension of the 30-day period for the commencement of protected industrial action by a further 30 days, effective from 21 June 2025.

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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