MARAPIKURRINYA MARINE AND MUA NORTH WEST INSHORE AGREEMENT 2025

Application for approval of the Marapikurrinya Marine and MUA North West Inshore Agreement 2025.

[1] Marapikurrinya Marine Pty Ltd (the Applicant) has made an application for the approval of an enterprise agreement known as the Marapikurrinya Marine and MUA North West Inshore Agreement 2025 (the Agreement). The application was made under s 185 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (the Act). The Agreement is a single enterprise agreement.

[2] This greenfields agreement meets the requirements of s 172(2)(b) of the Act. On the basis of the material contained in the application and accompanying declarations, I am satisfied that each of the requirements of ss 186 and s 187 of the Act as are relevant to this application for approval have been met.

[3] In accordance with s 187(5)(a) of the Act, I am satisfied that the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) is entitled to represent the industrial interests of a majority of employees who will be covered by the Agreement in relation to work that is to be performed under it. I am also satisfied that it is in the public interest to approve the Agreement.

[4] The Applicant has provided written undertakings. A copy of the undertakings is attached in Annexure A. I am satisfied that the undertakings will not cause financial detriment to any employee covered by the Agreement and that the undertakings will not result in substantial changes to the Agreement.

[5] In compliance with s 190(4) of the Act, the bargaining representatives' views regarding the undertakings proffered were sought. They were provided with the opportunity to raise and address any objections they had to the undertakings proffered by the Applicant. No objection was raised.

[6] Subject to the undertakings referred to above, and on the basis of the material contained in the application and accompanying declarations, I am satisfied that each of the requirements of ss 186, 187, 188, and 190 of the Act as are relevant to this application for approval have been met.

[7] I note that the following clause in the Agreement appears to be inconsistent with the National Employment Standards (the NES):

• (a) Clause 9.7 provides a mechanism for the employer to terminate the employee when they have abandoned their employment. It states that in the event an employee is absent from work for two consecutive working days without notifying the company, the employee has abandoned their employment, and the employer may terminate their employment. In light of the decision in Bienias v Iplex Pipelines Australia Pty Limited [2017] FWCFB 38 at [58], it is unclear whether the employer has allowed the employee time to respond (or provide notice of termination).

[8] However, I am satisfied that with the undertaking provided by the Applicant for the Agreement, the more beneficial entitlements of the NES will prevail where there is an inconsistency between the Agreement and the NES.

[9] The application was not lodged within 14 days after the agreement was made. Pursuant to s 185(3)(b), in all the circumstances I consider it fair to extend the time for making the application to the date it was actually made.

[10] Pursuant to ss 53(2)(b) and 201(2A) of the Act, I note the Agreement was made with the CFMEU and that the Agreement covers it.

[11] The Agreement was approved on 18 July 2025 and, in accordance with s 54, will operate from 25 July 2025. The nominal expiry date of the Agreement is 14 July 2029.

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