See Fair Work Act 2009 ss.593‒594
The Fair Work Commission is generally required to perform its functions and exercise its powers in a manner that is open and transparent,[1] and conducts proceedings in a manner that is consistent with the principles of open justice.[2] Commission hearings are normally required to be public,[3] and the Commission is required to publish its decisions.[4]
The rationale for open justice has been summarised as follows:
‘The reason for the principle of open justice is that, if the proceedings of courts of justice are fully exposed to public and professional scrutiny and criticism, and interested observers are able to follow and comprehend the evidence, the submissions and the reasons for judgment, then the public administration of justice will be enhanced and confidence in the integrity and independence of the courts will be maintained. Not only does the conduct of proceedings publicly and in open view assist in removing doubts and misapprehensions about the operation of the system, but it also limits the opportunity for abuse and injustice by those involved in the process, by making them publicly accountable. Equally, public scrutiny operates as a disincentive to false allegations and as a powerful incentive to honest evidence.’[5][citations omitted]
There are limited exceptions to the principle of open justice. In particular, the Commission has power to make orders:
Jobkeeper disputes may involve disclosure of sensitive business information and employees’ personal information, and a party may seek confidentiality orders under ss.593(3) or 594(1).
While the Commission has discretion to make orders under s.593(3) or s.594(1), departure from the principle of open justice is only justified where it would frustrate the administration of justice by unfairly damaging some material private or public interest.[7] Open justice considerations are not to be applied in a vacuum and need to be considered in the context of the express power to prohibit or restrict publication of certain material having regard to its confidential nature or for any other reason and the circumstances of a particular case.[8]
See Fair Work Act ss.12 and 596, Fair Work Commission Rules 2013 r 11–12A
A party to a jobkeeper dispute requires permission of the Commission to be represented by a lawyer or paid agent at a conference or hearing, unless they are represented by a lawyer or paid agent covered by s.596(4) of the Fair Work Act – see s.596 of the Fair Work Act and rule 12 of the Fair Work Commission Rules 2013.
Relevantly, a person’s lawyer or paid agent is covered by s.596(4) of the Fair Work Act if the lawyer or paid agent is an employee or officer of the person, or an employee or officer of:
that is representing the person.
The Fair Work Commission Rules 2013 also set out when the Commission must be notified that a person is represented, or is no longer represented, by a lawyer or paid agent.
The Practice note: Lawyers & paid agents provides procedural guidance on when and how the Commission is notified that a lawyer or paid agent acts or has ceased to act for a person, and when and how permission to be represented by a lawyer or paid agent can be sought.
[1] Fair Work Act s..577(c).
[2] United Firefighters’ Union of Australia v Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board [2017] FWCFB 2500 at [34].
[3] Fair Work Act s.593.
[4] Fair Work Act s.601.
[5] Seven Network (Operations) Limited & Ors v James Warbuton (No 1) [2011] NSWSC 385 at [2].
[6] Fair Work Act ss.593‒594.
[7] United Firefighters’ Union of Australia v Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board [2017] FWCFB 2500 at [34].
[8] Bowker and Others v DP World Melbourne Limited T/A DP World and Others [2015] FWC 4542 (Gostencnik DP, 6 July 2015) at para. 15.