Armstrong v Elliott [1997] IRCA 241

Armstrong v Elliott [1997] IRCA 241

The timing and conduct of branch elections for branch officers and committees are matters concerning the internal management of that branch, and branches retain the power to modify rules for their own internal management; the National Council cannot override or entrench such matters as solely within its own control.

Parties
Appellant: Jan Armstrong; Respondents: Robert Elliott, R van Arend, M Barrett, J Bremner, L Butler, D Byron, P Clapham, B Coffey, T Conoulty, F Cornford, S Cronin, D Davies, D Dewes, KD Geddes, H Dalton, K Darveniza, T Dolan, J Drummond, F Dyson, S Eichenbaum, P Ellison, J Evans, V Fahey, B Gannino, T Garcia, L Gillett, G Gills, B Goulding, B Gunning, M Hall, J Hankinson, H Harrison, M Hart, R Harvey, P Herewini, D Hill, H Hopgood, P Ingwersen, J Jackson, J Jensz, J Kanara-Hobson, E Kelly, J Kenneison, I Knight, M Maloney, W Massey, S McCormack, W Miles, Z Mitchell, J Mitchell, K Moore, L Murdoch, D Murphy, N Myers, J Navas, S Nolan, R O'Brien, S Pollard, J Richmond, G Rogers, K Ryan, A Shaw, G Shelverton, C Thomson, M Timbs, B Tolley, T Tracey, L Walsh, D Whitworth, L Williams, M Williamson, A Wilson, B Woodward, C Burns, C Burns, R Feltham, T Hawkins, A Lillicrap, J Margaetts, P Moylan, S O'Connor, K Ruby, G Webster, J Wilson, J Yammouni, J Mitchell and K McIntosh
Jurisdiction
Australia
Judgment Date
07 August 1997
Procedural Posture
Appeal / Post Interlocutory, on Appeal From a Judge of the Industrial Relations Court of Australia
Outcome
appeal allowed
Legal Topics
Organisation Rules, Powers to Amend Rules, Branch Autonomy, Internal Management, Timing and Conduct of Branch Elections
Industrial Law Organisation Rules Powers to Amend Rules Branch Autonomy Internal Management Timing and Conduct of Branch Elections

Case Brief

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Parties

Jan Armstrong

Appellant

Robert Elliott, R van Arend, M Barrett, J Bremner, L Butler, D Byron, P Clapham, B Coffey, T Conoulty, F Cornford, S Cronin, D Davies, D Dewes, KD Geddes, H Dalton, K Darveniza, T Dolan, J Drummond, F Dyson, S Eichenbaum, P Ellison, J Evans, V Fahey, B Gannino, T Garcia, L Gillett, G Gills, B Goulding, B Gunning, M Hall, J Hankinson, H Harrison, M Hart, R Harvey, P Herewini, D Hill, H Hopgood, P Ingwersen, J Jackson, J Jensz, J Kanara-Hobson, E Kelly, J Kenneison, I Knight, M Maloney, W Massey, S McCormack, W Miles, Z Mitchell, J Mitchell, K Moore, L Murdoch, D Murphy, N Myers, J Navas, S Nolan, R O'Brien, S Pollard, J Richmond, G Rogers, K Ryan, A Shaw, G Shelverton, C Thomson, M Timbs, B Tolley, T Tracey, L Walsh, D Whitworth, L Williams, M Williamson, A Wilson, B Woodward, C Burns, C Burns, R Feltham, T Hawkins, A Lillicrap, J Margaetts, P Moylan, S O'Connor, K Ruby, G Webster, J Wilson, J Yammouni, J Mitchell and K McIntosh

Respondents

Procedural Posture

Appeal / Post Interlocutory, on Appeal From a Judge of the Industrial Relations Court of Australia

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the National Council is empowered by the union's rules to make certain rule changes by postal ballot
  2. 2 Whether rules concerning timing of branch elections are matters of internal management
  3. 3 Whether National Council can modify or override a branch's power to amend rules for its internal management

Ratio Decidendi

The timing and conduct of branch elections for branch officers and committees are matters concerning the internal management of that branch, and branches retain the power to modify rules for their own internal management; the National Council cannot override or entrench such matters as solely within its own control.

Court Disposition

appeal allowed

Orders

  • The appeal be allowed.
  • The preliminary questions be answered: (i) National Council had power regarding new 52(e)(i)-(iii) (Yes); (ii) Not for 52(e)(iv) (No); (iii) Not for 53(e)(v) (No).