Activities outside the Commission

A number of Commission Members hold appointments and positions in addition to their appointments to the Commission.

Justice Ross is a Judge of the Federal Court of Australia and an Adjunct Professor, Discipline of Work and Organisational Studies at the University of Sydney Business School.

Vice President Catanzariti is the Chair of The College of Law; an Adjunct Associate Professor, Work and Organisational Studies, School of Business, University of Sydney; a Visiting Professorial Fellow of the School of Law and Faculty of Law, University of New South Wales (UNSW); Co‑Chair of the LGBTI Committee of the International Bar Association.

Deputy President Sams is Co‑convenor of Advocacy in the Industrial Relations Tribunals course, run in conjunction with the University of Technology Sydney Centre for Management and Organisation Studies and the Industrial Relations Society of New South Wales.

Deputy President Booth is a member of the Advisory Board to the Discipline of Work and Organisational Studies at the University of Sydney Business School.

Deputy President Asbury is the President of the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal and the Chairperson of the Northern Territory Police Arbitral Tribunal.

Deputy President Gostencnik is a consultant for the LexisNexis Practical Guidance – Employment Law module.

Deputy President Binet is a committee member of the Royal Perth Hospital Ethics Committee and a member of the Industrial Relations Society of Western Australia, Australian Association of Women Judges and the Australian Human Resource Institute.

Deputy President Clancy served as the honorary Chairperson of the Frederick Richard O’Connell Scholarship Committee and is a member of the Committee of the Industrial Relations Society of Victoria.

Deputy President Dean is a member of the Resolution Institute and is chairperson of the Alpine School.

Deputy President Anderson is a member of the Australian Labour and Employment Relations Association (South Australia).

Deputy President Beaumont is Chair of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Remuneration Tribunal; and a member of the National Judicial College of Australia, Australasian Institute of Judicial Administration Inc. and the UN Women NC Australia.

Deputy President Saunders is a committee member of the Industrial Relations Society of New South Wales (Newcastle branch); a member of the Industry Advisory Committee, Employment Relations and Human Resource Management Disciplinary Group, University of Newcastle; and a member of the Newcastle Law School Advisory Board, University of Newcastle.

Commissioner Spencer is Chairperson of the Northern Territory Correctional Officers Arbitral Tribunal; Deputy Chairperson of the Northern Territory Police Arbitral Tribunal; and a Life Member of the Industrial Relations Society Queensland (IRSQ).

Commissioner Hampton is a member of the Australian Labour and Employment Relations Association; the Australian Labour and Employment Relations Association (South Australia); the Australian Labour Law Association; the Council of Australasian Tribunals (South Australia); the International Association on Workplace Bullying and Harassment; and Resolution Australia.

Commissioner Bissett is a conciliator to the Northern Territory Police Arbitral Tribunal.

Commissioner Lee is a member of the Tasmanian Industrial Commission. The Commissioner is also on the Advisory Board of the Melbourne Law School Centre for Employment and Labour Relations Law.

Commissioner Johns is a Trustee of the Arts Centre of Melbourne, a Director of the YMCA NSW and YMCA Australia. The Commission is also the Treasurer of the Industrial Relations Society of New South Wales and the Treasurer of the Australian Labour and Employment Relations Association (ALERA).

Commissioner Wilson is a member of the Tasmanian Industrial Commission.

Commissioner Cirkovic is a member of the Industrial Relations Society of Victoria; the Australian Association of Women Judges and is a member of the Tasmanian Industrial Commission.

Commissioner Platt is a member of the Industrial Relations Society of South Australia.

Commissioner Harper‑Greenwell is a member of the Industrial Relations Society of Victoria, the International Association on Workplace Bullying and Harassment and the Australian Association of Women Judges. The Commissioner is also a Professional Member of Resolution Australia, and an Ambassador for Bravehearts Foundation Ltd.

Commissioner Hunt is a member of the Industrial Relations Society of Queensland.

Domestic activities

Throughout the reporting period, Commission Members participated in a range of Commission‑related domestic engagement and professional development activities.

Justice Ross delivered a number of presentations during the reporting period. In August 2019, Justice Ross presented at the Industrial Relations Society of Newcastle on ‘The Fair Work Commission in 2029’ discussing what the Fair Work Commission will look like in 10 years time. In May 2020, Justice Ross presented to the Australian Labour Law Association on the Commissions response to COVID‑19.

Vice President Hatcher delivered a presentation at the Union Lawyers & Industrial Officers conference in February 2020.

Vice President Catanzariti delivered a speech and presentation in July 2019 at the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry general Council Dinner on ‘Improving efficiency and reducing complexity’. In September 2019, the Vice President gave a presentation at the University of Sydney on ‘IR Policy Work & Organisational Studies’. In February 2020, Vice President Catanzariti presented at the University of New South Wales Law Edge Business and Employment Law Conference on ‘Updates from the Fair Work Commission: Recent Developments and Trends’.

In July 2019, Deputy President Hamilton was a guest lecturer at Monash University for the ‘Work and the law’ subject.

Deputy President Sams in November 2019 presented at the Thomson Reuters Industrial & Workplace Relations Conference on the topic of ‘Key updates on the practices and procedures of the Commission, insight into the forward agenda of the Commission and the Fair Work Amendment (Repeal of 4 Yearly Review and Other Measures) Act 2018’. In December 2019, the Deputy President was a panellist on the Australian Hotels Association NSW question and answer session regarding updates to the Commission. In March 2020, the Deputy President delivered a presentation to Oxley High School students visiting the Commission offices in Sydney and was the convenor of the University of Sydney’s capstone moot for its industrial relations course. In May 2020, Deputy President Sams participated in an interview for the University of Sydney’s ‘Innovations in Work and IR master’s course’. The Deputy President was also a speaker for the Konnect Workplace Law Roadshow, on the topic of the ‘Fair Work Commission Update in a COVID‑19 working environment’. In July 2020, the Deputy President was a speaker at the Industrial Relations Society’s webinar on workplace investigations.

Deputy President Booth spoke at the Industrial Relations Society of South Australia Anti‑Bullying Workshop in July 2019. In September 2019, the Deputy President gave a presentation about the work of the Commission to the Office of the Legal Services Commissioner. In September 2019, the Deputy President gave a presentation to FCB Lawyers on the New Approaches jurisdiction. In October 2019, Deputy President Booth gave a presentation about the Commission to Oxley High School business students. In February 2020, the Deputy President delivered a workshop to AGL HR Business Partners on unfair dismissal. In March 2020, the Deputy President participated in the University of Sydney’s IR and HR Management Capstone Unit mock anti‑bullying matter. The Deputy President delivered a further workshop to AGL HR Business Partners in March 2020 on the general protections jurisdiction, and again in May and June 2020 on the anti‑bullying jurisdiction.

Deputy President Asbury delivered a presentation in August 2019 at the Bar Association of Queensland’s Employment and Industrial Relations Conference on recent developments and impending changes in practice and procedure in the Commission. In November 2019, Deputy President Asbury spoke at the Thomson Reuters Industrial & Workplace Relations Conference on ‘Key updates on the practices and procedures of the Commission, insight into the forward agenda of the Commission and the Fair Work Amendment (Repeal of 4 Yearly Review and Other Measures) Act 2018’. In March 2020, the Deputy President delivered a Commission update at the Legalwise Workplace Law Symposium.

Deputy President Gostencnik in October 2019 presented an overview of the Commission and anti‑bullying presentation at the University of Melbourne. In February 2020, the Deputy President delivered a presentation to the Law Institute of Victoria Workplace Relations Conference on the topic of the future of collective agreements, and in June 2020 Deputy President Gostencnik delivered a presentation to the Law Institute of Victoria’s Workplace relations specialist discussion group on JobKeeper disputes. In June 2020, the Deputy President delivered a seminar to the Australian Labour & Employment Relations Association of South Australia on the JobKeeper jurisdiction.

Deputy President Kovacic spoke at the Australian Labour and Employment Relations Association’s ACT Awards Night. In December 2019, the Deputy President delivered a presentation on ‘Preventing bullying at work: Fair Work Commission insights and resources’ to Comcare. Deputy President Kovacic also spoke at the Thomson Reuters Mental Health & Employment Law online conference in June 2020.

Deputy President Bull delivered a presentation at the Herbert Smith Freehills Team breakfast briefing in March 2020 on temporary migrant workers in Australia and unfair dismissal protections.

Deputy President Binet spoke at the Industrial Relations Society of Western Australia’s Advocacy Course in August 2019.

Deputy President Clancy was the Chairperson for the Panel Discussion on the International Labour Organization and the Future of Work hosted by the Centre for Employment and Labour Relations Law at the Melbourne University Law School in July 2019. The Deputy President presented at the Emverio Workplace Solutions seminar on the Commission’s anti‑bullying jurisdiction in February 2020. Deputy President Clancy also conducted workshops in May to June 2020 for AGL HR Business Partners on the Fair Work Commission’s anti‑bullying jurisdiction.

Deputy President Anderson moderated the Australian Labour and Employment Relations Association (South Australia) webinar on the Commission’s JobKeeper jurisdiction in June 2020.

Deputy President Millhouse delivered a briefing about the Fair Work Commission to RMIT Health Sciences students in August 2019. In October 2019, the Deputy President was a guest lecturer at the University of Melbourne on the topic of ‘Labour Standards and their Enforcement Role of the Fair Work Commission’. In March 2020, Deputy President Millhouse delivered an information session and workshop with AGL HR Business Partners on the topic of ‘Unpacking the general protections jurisdiction’.

Deputy President Lake in March 2020 presented to the Queensland Hotels Association, providing an update on the role of the Commission and a summary of some recent notable decisions.

Deputy President Mansini hosted a briefing in July 2019 for the Big Brothers Big Sisters organisation about the work of the Commission followed by a tour of the Commission. In September 2019, the Deputy President participated in a question and answer session for the National Retailers’ Association on tips for advocates, enterprise bargaining and New Approaches. Between July and August 2019, Deputy President Mansini conducted training sessions and facilitation as part of the Industrial Relations Society of Victoria Advocacy Course. In November 2019, the Deputy President presented at the Thomson Reuters Industrial & Workplace Relations Conference on the topic of ‘Key updates on the practices and procedures of the Commission, insight into the forward agenda of the Commission and the Fair Work Amendment (Repeal of 4 Yearly Review and Other Measures) Act 2018’. In December 2019, the President delivered a presentation at the Meerkin and Apel Workplace Relations Forum on industrial relations and employment law issues.

Commissioner Spencer delivered a presentation to the Queensland Hotels Association in August 2019 on New Approaches, updates on the Commission’s functions and its recent developments. In November 2019, the Commissioner gave another presentation to the Queensland Hotels Association on the topics of unfair dismissals and anti‑bullying.

Commissioner Hampton gave a presentation in September 2019 about the work of the Commission to the Office of the Legal Services Commissioner. In October 2019, Commissioner Hampton spoke at the Industrial Relations Society of Tasmania’s annual conference on the Commission’s anti‑bullying jurisdiction. In February 2020, Commissioner Hampton facilitated advocacy training for Workplace Advice Service Partner organisations in South Australia and Western Australia. In February 2020, the Commissioner presented to the Pharmacy Guild of Australia on the various jurisdictions of the Commission.

Commissioner Bissett was a guest speaker in August 2019 at Matthew Flinders Girls High School Year 11 and 12 legal studies class. Commissioner Bissett gave a briefing in October 2019 about the role and powers of the Commission to WEstjustice as part of the Employment Justice Train the Trainer Program. Also in October 2019, the Commissioner gave a presentation to a group of industrial relations students from Monash University on the role of the Commission. In February 2020, Commissioner Bissett delivered a workshop to AGL HR Business Partners on unfair dismissal.

Commissioner Simpson delivered a presentation in September 2019 to Maurice Blackburn on the interaction between codes of conduct, policies and procedures, and discipline and dismissal.

Commissioner Gregory delivered a briefing about the Fair Work Commission to Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology Health Sciences students in July 2019 in September 2019.

Commissioner Johns delivered a lecture at the University of Technology Sydney to human resources students on the theory and practice of performance management in August 2019.

Commissioner Wilson delivered in May 2020 webinar for the Law Institute of Victoria as a part of Law Week on the topic of ‘COVID‑19 and what this means for employers’.

Commissioner Platt gave a presentation in January 2020 about the work of the Fair Work Commission at the University of South Australia.

Commissioner Hunt participated in the AMPLA National Conference as part of a panel on the future of work in the resources sector in October 2019.

Commissioner McKinnon delivered training as part of the Industrial Relations Society of Victoria’s advocacy training program and was the presiding Member for sessions relating to majority support determinations and general protections matters. In October 2019, Commissioner McKinnon delivered training as part of the Judicial College of Victoria’s judgment writing program ‘Judgment Writing: Good, Clear, Fast.’ In December 2019, the Commissioner delivered a presentation about the Commission to a group of law students from the Australian Catholic University. In April 2020, the Commissioner delivered a virtual briefing to Vermont High School on the work of the Commission.

Commissioner Yilmaz delivered a briefing about the Commission to Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology Health Sciences students in July 2019.

International activities

Throughout the reporting period, Commission Members participated in a range of Commission‑related international engagement and professional development activities.

Justice Ross presented at a meeting in February 2020, with the New Zealand Employment Relations Authority on ‘Push, Pull or Nudge? How Nudge theory can offer new ways for tribunals to get the message across’.

Vice President Hatcher attended the International Heads of Tribunals meeting in Quebec City, Canada in September 2019.

Deputy President Booth in June 2020 delivered a presentation entitled ‘Swimming against the tide: processes and challenges for changing institutional work’ to the International Labor and Employment Relations Association’s North American Congress 2020. The Deputy President also facilitated a meeting in June 2020 of the International Labor and Employment Relations Association Third Party Neutrals in Workplace Dispute Resolution Study Group. In July 2020, Deputy President Booth delivered a presentation on the New Approaches jurisdiction to the Canadian National Association of Arbitrators with Professor Andrew Stewart.

Deputy President Gostencnik in July 2019 presented an overview of the Commission and labour dispute resolution to a high‑level delegation from Malaysia comprising representatives of government, courts, employer groups and trade unions, arranged in partnership with the International Labour Organization.

Commissioner Wilson gave presentations In October 2019 and December 2019 to delegations of emerging government leaders from Vietnam on the role and functions of the Commission.