House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-03-28 Daily Xml

Contents

PUBLIC SERVICE ASSOCIATION LEGAL CHALLENGE

In reply to Mr TRELOAR (Flinders) (9 June 2011) (First Session).

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier, Minister for State Development): I have been advised of the following:

The Public Service Association initiated legal action in the Industrial Commission in respect of employee entitlements and security of tenure. The Full Commission found it had no jurisdiction to hear the matter. The PSA took judicial review proceedings in the Supreme Court and those proceedings were dismissed by the Full Court of the Supreme Court.

The PSA has obtained special leave to appeal to the High Court.

The Government has spent the sum of $26,986.85 on counsel fees in relation to the Public Service Association's challenge. Those fees were incurred in relation to the Full Commission and Full Court proceedings.

Other work performed has been undertaken by Government lawyers within existing budgets. There have been no legal costs awarded for or against either of the parties by the Commission or the Courts at this stage.

No further fees were incurred once external counsel ceased.