s.437 - Application for a protected action ballot order

Proposed protected action ballot of employees of Australian Broadcasting Corporation - non-AEC ballot electronic voting

[1] This is an application by the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA 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 the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC or Employer).

• [2] I note that the CPSU, the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) have made a separate application for a protected action ballot order in relation to the same proposed agreement.[1]

[3] On 19 February 2026, the Commission was advised that the Employer, in effect, did not object to the Application.

[4] In the circumstances, I have decided to determine the matter on the papers without holding a hearing.

[5] On the basis of the material before me, including the declaration of Cassandra Carmel Derrick, MEEA Media Section Director, setting out the steps taken by the MEAA in bargaining with the Employer and that it has been, and is, genuinely trying to reach agreement with the ABC, 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.

[6] The ballot is to be conducted by TrueVote Pty Ltd (True Vote). True Vote has been approved as an eligible protected action ballot agent under s.468A of the Act and is authorised to conduct the ballot.

• [7] 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 10 March 2026.[2] This also establishes the ballot period for the purpose of s.448A(2) of the Act.

[8] The Commission has made a limited number of changes to the daft order to remove duplication and ensure that the requirements of the Act and relevant regulations have been addressed.

[9] An Order has been separately issued in PR796943.

[10] This matter will be assigned to another Member of the Commission to conduct the s.448A compulsory conciliation conference along with the related matter. 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.

[2] This is, in effect, 12 working days from the making of the Order and was the period sought in the application.

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