v MSF Sugar Pty Ltd

Case [2025] FWC 1520


[2025] FWC 1520

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 Workers' Union

v

MSF Sugar Pty Ltd

(B2025/879)

DEPUTY PRESIDENT HAMPTON

ADELAIDE, 3 JUNE 2025

Application to extend the 30 day period in relation to B2025/641.

  1. This matter concerns the declaration of the result of a protected action ballot PR786262 held in matter B2025/641 and declared on 8 May 2025.

  1. The Australian Workers' 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. MSF Sugar Pty Ltd 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 6 June 2025.


DEPUTY PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<PR787886>

Details
AGLC
v MSF Sugar Pty Ltd [2025] FWC 1520
Case
[2025] FWC 1520
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The Australian Workers' Union (AWU) applied to the Fair Work Commission (FWC) to extend the 30-day period during which industrial action could be taken by eligible employees of MSF Sugar Pty Ltd. This application arose following the declaration of the result of a protected action ballot, PR786262, which was held in matter B2025/641 and declared on 8 May 2025. MSF Sugar Pty Ltd did not object to the application. The AWU's request was made pursuant to section 459(3) of the Fair Work Act 2009, which allows the FWC to extend the 30-day period if certain conditions are met, including that the period has not been extended previously and the applicant for the protected action ballot order applies for the extension.

The legal issue before the FWC was whether the AWU's application satisfied the statutory requirements for an extension of the 30-day period. Section 459(3) of the Fair Work Act 2009 stipulates that the FWC may extend the 30-day period by up to 30 days if the applicant for the protected action ballot order applies for the extension and the period has not been extended before. The Deputy President Hampton found that the AWU had fulfilled all the necessary conditions for an extension, and no objections were raised by MSF Sugar Pty Ltd.

In light of the AWU's compliance with the statutory provisions, the Deputy President Hampton granted the application and extended the 30-day period by a further 30 days from the original expiry date. The extension took effect from 6 June 2025, thereby allowing the eligible employees to take protected industrial action for an additional 30 days. The Deputy President's decision was based on the statutory authority provided by section 459(3) of the Fair Work Act 2009 and the absence of any objections from MSF Sugar Pty Ltd.

Orders

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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

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