v Highland Pine Products Pty Ltd

Case [2025] FWC 183


[2025] FWC 183

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

Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union

v

Highland Pine Products Pty Ltd

(B2025/107)

DEPUTY PRESIDENT HAMPTON

ADELAIDE, 20 JANUARY 2025

Application to extend the 30 day period in relation to B2024/1444.

  1. This matter concerns the declaration of the result of a protected action ballot PR781071 held in matter B2024/1444 and declared on 20 December 2024.

  1. The Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees 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.

  1. Highland Pine Products Pty Ltd has advised the Commission they have 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 20 January 2025.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<PR783469>

Details
AGLC
v Highland Pine Products Pty Ltd [2025] FWC 183
Case
[2025] FWC 183
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The Fair Work Commission was asked to consider an application by the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union to extend the 30-day period during which industrial action could occur as authorised by a protected action ballot. This matter was in relation to ballot PR781071 held in matter B2024/1444, which was declared on 20 December 2024. The employer, Highland Pine Products Pty Ltd, did not oppose the application.

The legal issue for the Commission to determine was whether the 30-day period could be extended under section 459(3) of the Fair Work Act 2009. This section allows for an extension of the period if certain conditions are met: an application must be made by the applicant for the protected action ballot order, and the period must not have been extended previously. The Union argued that both conditions were satisfied and that the period should therefore be extended by a further 30 days.

The Deputy President of the Commission concluded that the Union's application met the requirements of section 459(3) of the Act. The Deputy President accepted that the application was made by the applicant for the protected action ballot order and that the period had not been extended previously. Given this, the Deputy President was satisfied that the application should be granted. Consequently, the 30-day period for the commencement of protected industrial action was extended by a further 30 days, effective from 20 January 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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