Jess, Michael Patrick v Scott R.J. & Ors [1984] FCA 72

Jess, Michael Patrick v Scott R.J. & Ors [1984] FCA 72

The respondents breached union rules by using union funds and resources to publish material designed to support one group of candidates over another in upcoming elections, thus not acting in the interests of the members as a whole.

Parties
Applicant: Michael Patrick Jess; Respondent: R.J. Scott; Respondent: J.G. Kidd; Respondent: L. Carmichael; Respondent: G. Campbell; Respondent: R.A. Bruggy; Respondent: W. Martin; Respondent: E. Lipscombe; Respondent: F. Maurice; Respondent: D.A. Beer; Respondent: W.R. Arscott; Respondent: F. McGowan; Respondent: R.B. Hawkes; Respondent: G. Harrison; Respondent: R.M. Adamson; Respondent: H. Malcolm; Respondent: P. Johnson; Respondent: J.F. Halfpenny; Respondent: J. O'Neill; Respondent: R. Pointer; Respondent: M. Tumbers; Respondent: H. Peden; Respondent: A.J. Marks; Respondent: B.R. Burns; Respondent: J.A. Vaughan; Respondent: M.K. Hill
Jurisdiction
Australia
Judgment Date
30 March 1984
Procedural Posture
Application Under S.141 Conciliation & Arbitration Act / Final Determination of Application After Hearing
Outcome
Relief under s.141 granted; orders sought in paras. 1, 2, 3, and 4 granted
Legal Topics
Union Elections, Union Funds Misuse, Union Rules, Electioneering Material, Injunctions Under S.141
Industrial Law Union Elections Union Funds Misuse Union Rules Electioneering Material Injunctions Under S.141

Case Brief

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Parties

Michael Patrick Jess

Applicant

R.J. Scott

Respondent

J.G. Kidd

Respondent

L. Carmichael

Respondent

G. Campbell

Respondent

R.A. Bruggy

Respondent

W. Martin

Respondent

E. Lipscombe

Respondent

F. Maurice

Respondent

D.A. Beer

Respondent

W.R. Arscott

Respondent

F. McGowan

Respondent

R.B. Hawkes

Respondent

G. Harrison

Respondent

R.M. Adamson

Respondent

H. Malcolm

Respondent

P. Johnson

Respondent

J.F. Halfpenny

Respondent

J. O'Neill

Respondent

R. Pointer

Respondent

M. Tumbers

Respondent

H. Peden

Respondent

A.J. Marks

Respondent

B.R. Burns

Respondent

J.A. Vaughan

Respondent

M.K. Hill

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Application Under S.141 Conciliation & Arbitration Act / Final Determination of Application After Hearing

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the respondents breached union rules by using union funds and resources to publish material supporting one group of candidates in union elections
  2. 2 Whether such application of union resources was contrary to the interests of the members as a whole

Ratio Decidendi

The respondents breached union rules by using union funds and resources to publish material designed to support one group of candidates over another in upcoming elections, thus not acting in the interests of the members as a whole.

Court Disposition

Relief under s.141 granted; orders sought in paras. 1, 2, 3, and 4 granted

Orders

  • The respondents and each of them must perform and observe the rules of the Amalgamated Metals Foundry & Shipwrights Union by refraining from publishing or distributing at the union's expense any material supporting or attacking particular candidates or groups in union elections.
  • The respondents and each of them must refrain from using or permitting the use of union property, funds or resources to support or promote a candidate or group of candidates, or to defeat or influence candidates in union elections for specified offices.