austlii:cth/FedCFamC2G/2025/1568
General information, not legal advice.
FedCFamC2G
2025-09-26
Original judgment source is linked above.
FEDERAL CIRCUIT AND FAMILY COURT OF AUSTRALIA (DIVISION 2)
Note: The form of the order is subject to the entry in the Court's records.
Note: The Court may vary or set aside a judgment or order to remedy minor typographical or grammatical errors (r 24.04(g) Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) (General Federal Law) Rules 2025 (Cth)), or to record a variation to the order pursuant to r 24.04 Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) (General Federal Law) Rules 2025 (Cth).
As a result of the conclusion we have reached that each of TSS, Ms Browning and Ms Samassa were involved in the acts and conduct that constituted the decision to dismiss Ms Annovazzi, it follows that the matter will need to be redetermined on that basis. It would follow that the questions as to the appropriate comparator and causation will need to be redetermined by reference to our finding. In this regard, the central question will be why the dismissal occurred having regard to the objective circumstances of the decision-making process.
We do not consider that we are in a position to determine these matters for ourselves. We have received no submissions from the parties as to the determination of the case on this basis. There are factual findings made by the primary judge that will bear upon these matters including, for example, the primary judge's statement at PJ [54] that his Honour was not prepared to find that those involved in the decision to terminate Ms Annovazzi's employment were not unaware of the text messages between Ms Annovazzi and Mr Bellia, and the statement in Ms Browning's email of 9 January 2018 that Sydney Trains had been provided with conflicting information from Ms Annovazzi.
The New Evidence and some facts found in the June Reasons
undertake a FFD assessment and to refer Trainee Driver Annovazzi for a Psychiatric and if required neuropsychological assessment to determine if she is suitable to undertake Category I duties by Sonic asap, as well as the impact of not being able to take dexamphetamine could have on her attentiveness.
I believe my manager, Sharon Martin, briefly spoke with you regarding a referral we have received for Renee Annovazzi who began her employment with Sydney Trains in October.
Please see attached brief we have received from local management as it states in this brief that the employee (who is clearly still on probation) did not declare her medical condition in her application nor at the triggered health assessment she was required to attend.
If you could please clarify what the employee did or did not declare in her application it would be appreciated as I am of the opinion that this case should not have been referred to us and should have been referred to HR or Workplace Conduct.
Thanks for your email.
Billie, copied to this email is the recruiter for this campaign (TTD - 000051X5), however, I've had a look at the employee's application and can't see anything mentioned about her health condition being declared as you ask below.
I've copied in our manager, Amanda, in case she would like to comment further.
I am seeking your assistance with a matter pertaining to a new employee, Trainee Train Driver - Renee Annovazzi, who commenced employment with Sydney Trains In October.
Renee's manager referred her to our team for a fitness for duty assessment as she self-identified that she was taking medications for a medical condition which may show up as a positive result on random drug testing.
The issue is the employee advised management that she did not declare this medical condition on her job application nor at her initial Category 1 health assessment.
Having discussed this at length with my own management team, we do not believe this should have been referred to us and rather should be handled by HR and possibly Workplace Conduct as the employee has admitted to not divulging her medical condition as required for her application or at the initial health assessment.
It would be appreciated if you could please review the response from Recruitment and attached brief signed by Soula Vlahos and provide some direction on how this matter should be handled.
Dr Casolin provided advice over the phone. His advice was to request and FFD.
I have since spoken the Renee after my discussions with Dean Lesser and she is adamant that she advised Sonic of her medical condition and that she was taking medication. She also claims that she did not indicate that she had a medical condition in her application as she did not think the condition would impact on her role as a driver.
We had a similar case recently for a trainee driver who declared that he was prescribed the same medication as Renee but had not commenced taking the medication until he sought permission from his employer. He went through an FFD and has been found fit for CAT 1 and also approved to take the medication. He will however need to attend an assessment for dyslexia.
I will be guided by you on what approach we take in relation to Renee's case.
Further to the enquiry regarding the medical declarations of employee Renee Annovazzi, can you please assist with the following at your earliest:
- - Full copy of application
- - Indication of the Sonic Medical appointment who was the Dr
Is it possible for you to make contact with the Sonic Dr (refer to last page of attached report), and ask the following questions regarding Ms Annovazzi's declarations/discussions at the initial medical assessment.
- Did she indicate ADHD
- Did she indicate Asperger Syndrome
- Did she indicate the use of Dexamphetamine
With confirmation or otherwise of the above, I will progress with the appropriate next steps.
Could you please confirm with Dr Kumar if Ms Annovazzi made the following declarations / discussions at the initial medical assessment:
- - Did she indicate ADHD
- - Did she indicate Asperger Syndrome
- - Did she indicate the use of Dexamphetamine
Thanks Malcolm.
As an aside, we are also asking Ms Annovazzi to provide a medical note from her Dr re the medication and conditions.
With a full picture, the next steps will (hopefully) become evident.
As discussed, could you please provide a medical note/briefing from your treating physician regarding the use of Dexamphetamine and the conditions of ADHD and also Asperger Syndrome.
This is currently sitting with Janene Browning and Dr Casolin at Sydney trains.
We are awaiting further direction from Janene once Ms Annovazzi's original health assessment has been reviewed by Dr Casolin.
I have spoken with TSS about the FFD request, and agree with their view that this should be treated as a failure to declare on behalf of the employee during the recruitment process, rather than a requirement for a new FFD while the employee is still in the probation period. We have been provided with conflicting information from the employee regarding this matter.
A request was send to Sonic to ask the provider is [sic] declarations were made by Ms Annovazzi during the medical.
Sonic have identified that you have a complete copy of the initial medical assessment. Can you please confirm the following:
- Did she indicate ADHD
- Did she indicate Asperger Syndrome
- Did she indicate the use of Dexamphetamine
Soula Vlahos has also asked for Ms Annovazzi to provide a medical note from her treating physician regarding her use of Dexamphetamine and the conditions of ADHD and Asperger Syndrome. She was advised this information could be addressed to yourself.
This information will assist us in making the relevant determination in relation to the full disclosure at medical as well as the appropriate management of the employee.
She had until this week to provide information from her own Dr regarding her condition.
I await this prior to determining next steps.
I ve (sic) confirmed with Dr Casolin, the conditions and medication were not indicated during her pre-employment medical.
Hi David you may recall Ms Annovazzi was attended a pre-employment health assessment for train driving but did not declare her pre-existing ADHD, dexamphetamine or aspergers. Can you please arrange for the attached letter to be saved on her file in the event that we request an FFD. The letter raises more concerns in my mind than it answers as Ms Annovazzi has ADHD that requires stimulant therapy but she only uses it PRN.
Hi Janene just letting you know that I have received the letter from Ms Annovazzi's psychiatrist confirming the prescription for dexamphetamine but there is still a question over her fitness to work as a train driver with her conditions which were not declared to, or assessed by, Sonic.
Presumably only when she feels her attention is particularly deficient? Oh dear.
I assume you can't just sack her for lying (sorry, concealing the truth) on her PEM assessment?
I will arrange for the letter to be put in her folder as requested, but what about her RSW classification - she is currently FU so isn't due another assessment for another 4 years or so?
Thanks David. That might be what happens but I don t have visibility of what action the workplace conduct unit might be taking.
OK - if you could let me know what happens, because if she retains her job and doesn't otherwise get an FFD, my view is that she should be on annual reviews for this issue so I will have to fix that ....
Agreed. She has been removed from driver school for now and, if she isn t dismissed, won t be going back without an FFD
Thanks Dr Casolin.
Dean we will not be pursuing FFD any further for Ms Annovazzi
Soula as discussed, we will progress with recommending termination under probation as there appears to be deliberate omissions in the pre-employment information. I will pull together the relevant brief required and progress through for approvals.
Attached is the Briefing note recommending the Termination on Probation of Ms Renee Annovazzi.
Per the delegations, Director People and Change has the delegation, in consultation with the relevant Level 4 manager (ie you)
Can you please review and sign the attached BN to me and I will arrange for onward delivery.
ISSUE
Employee Renee Annovazzi (e/n: 20012706), commenced as a Trainee Driver with Sydney Trains on 13 October 2017, with a six month probation period. During training, Mr Annovazzi [sic] declared she had undiagnosed medical conditions and was taking prescription medication - information she had not disclosed during her preemployment medicals.
BACKGROUND
After commencement with Sydney Trains, Ms Annovazzi declared she had undiagnosed conditions of ADHD and Aspergers Syndrome and was taking prescribed Dexamphetamine. She was immediately removed from the Driver Trainer program and placed on alternate duties within Operations Support.
On 30 November 2017, Soula Vlahos requested a triggered medical for Ms Annovazzi (Tab A). At this time, discussion began between HR, Legal, Health Solutions TSS, and Sydney Trains Health Solutions regarding the most appropriate course of action.
On 19 December 2017, Ms Annovazzi was requested to provide a medical note from her treating physician regarding her use of Dexamphetamine and the conditions of ADHD and Aspergers Syndrome. This information was provided in confidence to Dr Casolin on 25 January 2018 - confirming her use of Dexamphetamine only (Tab B).
On 9 January 2018, Confirmation was received from Sonic Health Solutions, via Dr Casolin, that no psychological conditions were declared, nor was the use of Dexamphetamine (Tab C). Further to this, a review of Ms Annovazzi's employment application (qns 10 & 12) confirms no medical conditions were declared (Tab D).
CURRENT POSITION
Ms Annovazzi has been completing alternate duties within the Training and Competence Assurance section of Operations Support, since her declaration of the above.
Discussions with Dr Casolin confirm there remains a question around her suitability for rail safety work due to the self-declared medical conditions of ADHD and Asbergers' [sic] Syndrome. Conducting a Fitness for Duty is an option available to Sydney Trains. However, the overriding consideration is Ms Annovazzi's failure to declare medical conditions and prescribed medications. Ms Annovazzi's failure to truthfully and honestly participate in the selection and appointment process enabled her to progress unchallenged and gain employment that may not have otherwise been available.
RECOMMENDATION
Ms Annovazzi's employment with Sydney Trains is terminated within her probation period, due to her failure to declare medical conditions and prescription medications during her pre-employment medicals with Sonic Health Plus and in her written application.
I certify that the preceding forty-nine (49) numbered paragraphs are a true copy of the Reasons for Judgment of Judge Manousaridis.
[1] State of New South Wales - Sydney Trains v Annovazzi [2024] FCAFC 120.
[2] Annovazzi v State of New South Wales v Sydney Trains [2023] FedCFamC2G 542.
[3] Annovazzi v State of New South Wales v Sydney Trains (No 2) [2025] FedCFamC2G 480.
[4] State of New South Wales - Sydney Trains v Annovazzi [2024] FCAFC 120, [129], [130].
[5] Affidavit A L Sharp 06.12.2024, exhibit AS-1, page 18.
[6] Affidavit A L Sharp 06.12.2024, exhibit AS-1, pages 51-52.
[7] Affidavit A L Sharp 06.12.2024, exhibit AS-1, page 51.
[8] Affidavit A L Sharp 06.12.2024, exhibit AS-1, page 50.
[9] Affidavit A L Sharp 06.12.2024, exhibit AS-1, page 50.
[10] Affidavit A L Sharp 06.12.2024, exhibit AS-1, page 56.
[11] Affidavit A L Sharp 06.12.2024, exhibit AS-1, page 57.
[12] Affidavit A L Sharp 06.12.2024, exhibit AS-1, page 57.
[13] Affidavit A L Sharp 06.12.2024, exhibit AS-1, page 73.
[14] Affidavit A L Sharp 06.12.2024, exhibit AS-1, page 72.
[15] Affidavit A L Sharp 06.12.2024, exhibit AS-1, page 73.
[16] Affidavit A L Sharp 06.12.2024, exhibit AS-1, page 73.
[23] Affidavit A L Sharp 06.12.2024, exhibit AS-1, page 75.
[24] Affidavit A L Sharp 06.12.2024, exhibit AS-1, page 78.
[25] Affidavit A L Sharp 06.12.2024, exhibit AS-1, page 78.
[26] Affidavit A L Sharp 06.12.2024, exhibit AS-1, page 78.
[27] Affidavit A L Sharp 06.12.2024, exhibit AS-1, page 84.
[28] Affidavit A L Sharp 06.12.2024, exhibit AS-1, page 84.
[29] Affidavit A L Sharp 06.12.2024, exhibit AS-1, page 87.
[30] Affidavit A L Sharp 06.12.2024, exhibit AS-1, page 84.
[31] Affidavit A L Sharp 06.12.2024, exhibit AS-1, page 86.
[32] Affidavit A L Sharp 06.12.2024, exhibit AS-1, page 84.
[33] Affidavit A L Sharp 06.12.2024, exhibit AS-1, page 84.
[34] Affidavit A L Sharp 06.12.2024, exhibit AS-1, page 92.
[35] Affidavit A L Sharp 06.12.2024, exhibit AS-1, page 100.
[36] Affidavit A L Sharp 06.12.2024, exhibit AS-1, pages 37-38.
[37] Affidavit A L Sharp 06.12.2024, exhibit AS-1, page 101.
[38] June Reasons, [21]-[25]; [37].
[39] Affidavit A L Sharp 06.12.2024, exhibit AS-1, page 75.
Annovazzi
State of New South Wales- Sydney Trains