Fair Work Act 2009

s.437 - Application for a protected action ballot order

Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia

Proposed protected action ballot of employees of Goldwind Australia Pty Ltd - non-AEC ballot electronic voting

• [1] This is an application by the Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia (CEPU or Applicant) made under s.437 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Act) for a protected action ballot order in relation to certain employees of Goldwind Australia Pty Ltd (Goldwind or Employer).

• [2] On 30 October 2025, the Commission was advised that the Employer did not object to the Application in an amended form following discussion between the parties. Accordingly, I have granted leave to amend the application and determined the matter on the papers without conducting a hearing.

• [3] On the basis of the material before me, including the declaration of Ben Schmidt, National Organiser, setting out the steps taken by the CEPU in bargaining with the Employer and that it has been, and is, genuinely trying to reach agreement with Goldwind, I am satisfied that there is a notification time in relation to the proposed agreement and that all of the requirements in s.443(1) of the Act have been met.

• [4] The ballot is to be conducted by Democratic Outcomes Pty Ltd (CiVS). CiVS has been approved as an eligible protected action ballot agent under s.468A of the Act and consequently is authorised to conduct the ballot.

• [5] For the purposes of s.443(3)(c) of the Act, the Commission has determined that the date by which voting is to close is 14 November 2025.[1] This also establishes the ballot period for the purpose of s.448A(2) of the Act.

• [6] I am satisfied that there are relevant exceptional circumstances required by s.443(5), justifying an extended notice period of written notice for the purposes of s.414(2)(b) of the Act, when taking industrial action set out in the Order made by the Commission. By consent, the extended notice period of no less than five (5) working days applies to items 1-16 inclusive listed within clause five (5) of the Order.

• [7] An Order has been separately issued in PR793242.

• [8] This matter will be assigned to another Member of the Commission to conduct the s.448A compulsory conciliation conference. That Member will issue an Order requiring the attendance of all bargaining representatives in the proposed enterprise agreement at the conference. It is likely that Directions will also be issued to ensure that the parties attend the conference ready to conduct meaningful negotiations.

[1] This is, in effect, 10 working days from the making of the Order and was the period sought in the application.

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