Court to hear 'all industrial relations matters' in NSW
The New South Wales government has revived its Industrial Court more than seven years after it was abolished in 2016.
The Industrial Court of New South Wales returns to act as a superior court of record and serve as a "one-stop shop for industrial justice, as well as health and safety matters," according to the NSW government.
The court “will hear all industrial relations matters relating to NSW state government and local government employees," the government announcement read. "Private sector employees will remain in the commonwealth's jurisdiction under the Fair Work Commission."
Matters covered by the court include disputes over work health and safety matters, registration of industrial organisations, as well as conciliation and arbitration of wage claims for public sector workers.
The court, which has equivalent status to the Supreme Court and the Land and Environment Court, is an independent umpire along with the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC), according to the NSW government.
It was re-established last year under the Industrial Relations Amendment Act 2023. The three judges appointed by the government to serve the Industrial Court include:
- Ingmar Taylor SC, also the appointed president of the IRC
- David Chin SC, also appointed vice-president of the IRC
- Jane Paingakulam, also appointed Deputy President of the IRC
"This is a historic day for industrial relations in NSW. The Minns Labor Government promised meaningful reforms and we have delivered," said Tara Moriarty, acting minister for industrial relations, in a statement.
"I congratulate The Honourable Justice Taylor, President, The Honourable Justice Chin, Vice-President, and The Honourable Justice Paingakulam, Deputy President, on their swearing in today."
