FIRMINS LANE ENGINEERING, MORWELL WORKPLACE AGREEMENT 2025-2028

Application for variation of the Firmins Lane Engineering, Morwell Workplace Agreement 2025-2028.

[1] This decision relates to the Firmins Lane Engineering, Morwell Workplace Agreement 2025-2028 (the Agreement) which was approved by the Commission on 3 March 2025.[1]

[2] On 5 March 2025, the Applicant notified my Chambers of a drafting error contained within the Agreement that was not identified until after the Agreement was approved by the Commission. The Applicant advised that the wage rates contained on pages 9 - 11 of the Agreement were incorrect and intended to be higher than provided for in the approved Agreement.

[3] Accordingly, on 11 March 2025, the Applicant provided an updated copy of pages 9 - 11 of the Agreement which contained the correct wage rates.

[4] I note that the wage rates contained in the original copy of the Agreement which was approved on 3 March 2025 have satisfied the BOOT, and the updated wage rates provided by the Applicant on 11 March 2025 are higher.

[5] Section 218A, which came into effect on 7 December 2022, is as follows:

"218A Variation of enterprise agreements to correct or amend errors, defects or irregularities

(1) The FWC may vary an enterprise agreement to correct or amend an obvious error, defect or irregularity (whether in substance or form).

(2) The FWC may vary an enterprise agreement under subsection (1): (a) on its own initiative; or

(i) one or more of the employers covered by the agreement; (ii) an employee covered by the agreement; or

(iii) an employee organisation covered by the agreement.

(3) If the FWC varies an enterprise agreement under subsection (1), the variation

operates from the day specified in the decision to vary the agreement."

[6] As has been noted in recent decisions of the Commission,[2] s.218A of the Act is not unlike the slip rule found in s.602 of the Act which allows the Commission to correct or amend an obvious error, defect or irregularity (whether in substance or form) in relation to a decision of the Commission. Its evident purpose is to remove complexity associated with varying enterprise agreements containing obvious errors, defects or irregularities by simplifying the process by which corrections may be made.

[7] Before an amendment under s.218A can be made, the Commission must first be satisfied of the existence of an obvious error, defect or irregularity (whether in substance or form). Upon the finding of such an error, defect or irregularity, the Commission may, not must, vary the enterprise agreement. The power to vary should only be exercised to the extent necessary to remove the error, defect or irregularity.

[8] I am satisfied that the existence of the error in pages 9 - 11 of the Agreement which contains references to incorrect wage rates is an obvious error. While section 218A does not specify what factors should be considered in the exercise of a discretion to vary an enterprise agreement, I am satisfied that the amendment should be made, and that it is appropriate to do so by varying the Agreement pursuant to s.218A of the Act. In the present case, the error is readily identified, as is the correction needed to make the Agreement accurately reflect what was clearly intended. There are no reasons not to exercise my discretion and good reasons to do so. The error in pages 9 - 11 of the Agreement will be amended to reflect the correct wage rates as intended and provided by the Employer, as ordered below.

[9] I order, pursuant to s.218A of the Act, that the Agreement be varied to correct an obvious error as follows:

1. By deleting pages 9 - 11 of the Agreement ([2025] FWCA 794) and replacing them with the version contained in Annexure A of this decision.

2. This variation will take effect on 19 March 2025.

[10] The variation is approved and a consolidated version of the Agreement, as varied, is attached to this decision.

[2] See for example [2023] FWCA 844 per Gostencnik DP, and [2023] FWC 115 per Asbury DP (as Vice President Asbury

t Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer