Legal page 565 of 567

Pilots union seeks rule change to cover Qantas subsidiary; & Thomson's lawyer says concessions a "fabrication"

In a decision that has the potential to expand the number of general protections cases, a Fair Work Commission full bench headed by the president has ruled that the tribunal has no power to dismiss an application on jurisdictional grounds and must hold a conference once a claim has been lodged.

A Chinese company that brought 24 workers to Australia to dismantle machinery and paid them just a portion of their total wage during the four-plus months they were here – with the balance then delivered on their return to China – has been fined $14,850.

A Fair Work Commission full bench has rejected – by a two to one majority – a raft of claims to vary annual leave provisions in modern awards as part of the two-year transitional review, finding that many of them would more appropriately be dealt with in the broader review next year.

In a split decision, a NSW IRC full bench has upheld an appeal against orders preventing the dismissal of three corrections officers, after finding that Deputy President Rod Harrison had incorrectly based his decision on whether the officers were guilty of serious misconduct.

Worker's conduct didn't justify summary dismissal; and Dishonest reporting of accident costs bus driver his job.

The Federal Circuit Court has ruled that there is no unfettered right to freedom of political expression in dismissing a federal public servant's application for a declaration that any finding that she had breached the APS code of conduct for tweeting her opinions would breach her implied constitutional rights.

FWC warns against "excessive sensitivity" and delay in bullying case; & Second time lucky for engineer in victimisation case.

Opposition promises small business representation on FWC; and Chief Justice flags October hearing for High Court challenge.

Virgin flight attendant's reinstatement confirmed; Evidence from decision-maker not a requirement for valid reason; and All s387 factors relevant to whether dismissal fair.