v Epworth Medical Imaging Pty Ltd

Case [2025] FWC 1399


[2025] FWC 1399

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 Nursing and Midwifery Federation

v

Epworth Medical Imaging Pty Ltd

(B2025/808)

DEPUTY PRESIDENT HAMPTON

ADELAIDE, 21 MAY 2025

Application to extend the 30 day period in relation to B2025/521.

  1. This matter concerns the declaration of the result of a protected action ballot PR785683 held in matter B2025/521 and declared on 11 April 2025.

  1. The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation 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. Epworth Medical Imaging Pty Ltd has advised the Commission that it has no 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 May 2025.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<PR787511>

Details
AGLC
v Epworth Medical Imaging Pty Ltd [2025] FWC 1399
Case
[2025] FWC 1399
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation has applied to the Fair Work Commission under section 459(3) of the Fair Work Act 2009 to extend the 30-day period in which industrial action is authorised by a protected action ballot for employees of Epworth Medical Imaging Pty Ltd. The ballot, PR785683, was declared on 11 April 2025, and the application seeks an extension of the 30-day period by a further 30 days. Epworth Medical Imaging Pty Ltd has stated it has no objection to the application.

The legal issue before the Commission was whether the requirements for extending the period under section 459(3) of the Act had been satisfied. The Act allows for an extension of the 30-day period if the applicant for the protected action ballot order applies to the Commission and if the period has not previously been extended. The Commission considered the application, noting that the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation had met the statutory requirements. The Deputy President Hampton was satisfied that the application should be granted.

In light of the application meeting the statutory requirements and the absence of any objections from Epworth Medical Imaging Pty Ltd, the Deputy President Hampton ordered that the 30-day period for the commencement of protected industrial action be extended by a further 30 days. This order took effect from 21 May 2025. The decision was based on the fulfilment of the statutory criteria and the unopposed nature of the application.

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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