STATEMENT

Fair Work Act 2009
s.156 - 4 yearly review of modern awards

(AM2014/247)

Modern awards – 4 yearly review – Sugar Industry Award 2010.

[1] On 24 February 2016, President Ross issued a Statement in respect of the 4 yearly review of modern awards (the Review). The Review, Award Stage, has now progressed to Groups 3 and 4 Awards, which includes the Sugar Industry Award 2010 (the Sugar Award). In the 24 February 2016 Statement, the President said:

“In relation to most of the substantive claims in relation to the Group 3 and 4 awards the parties agreed that it would be beneficial to hold conferences after the exposure drafts are published. The purpose of these conferences is to:

• determine any areas where there are common views;



• see what can be resolved between the parties;



• clarify the precise nature of any matters in dispute; and



• ascertain the most effective method for dealing with the issues in dispute, including whether the issues warrant going to a separately constituted Full Bench and, if so, the time required to hear any evidence in relation to the disputed matter(s).”

[2] Matter AM2014/247 relates to the Sugar Award. This matter has been allocated to me to convene a Conference for the purpose identified by the President in his Statement above.

[3] The following parties have indicated an interest in the Sugar Award:

● Australian Sugar Milling Council (ASMC);
● “Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union” known as the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU);

● The National Farmers’ Federation;

● Australian Business Industrial and the NSW Business Chamber;

● The Australian Workers’ Union;

● The Australian Industry Group (Ai Group); and
● Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO).

[4] Proposed variations have been received from ASMC and the AMWU. FWO identified some common enquiries relating to the Sugar Award.

[5] This matter will be listed for Conference on 10am on Wednesday, 27 April 2016 in Brisbane. Any party with an interest in the review of the Sugar Award may attend. If parties wish to appear by telephone or videoconference, requests should be made by email to chambers.asbury.dp@fwc.gov.au by no later than 5.00 pm on Thursday, 21 April 2016.

[6] Any party with an interest in the Sugar Award who has not already filed any proposed variation to the Sugar Award may do so by no later than 5.00 pm on Thursday, 21 April 2016. Any further proposals will be published on the Commission’s website.

DEPUTY PRESIDENT

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