20Commission to act according to equity and good conscience

### 20 Commission to act according to equity and good conscience > > (1)  In the exercise of its jurisdiction under this Act, the Commission – > > > > > > (a) shall act according to equity, good conscience, and the merits of the case without regard to technicalities or legal forms; > > > > > > > (b) shall do such things as appear to it to be right and proper for effecting conciliation between parties, for preventing and settling industrial disputes, and for settling claims by agreement between parties; > > > > > > > (c) is not bound by any rules of evidence, but may inform itself on any matter in such a way as it thinks just; and > > > > > > > (d) shall have regard to the public interest. > > > (2)  *\[Section 20 Subsection (2) substituted by No. 59 of 1992, s. 15 \]*The Commission has the power to deal with an industrial dispute referred to it in accordance with the [Commonwealth Act](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1988-999#GS1@EN) . > > > (3)  In the exercise of its jurisdiction under this Act, the Commission is not restricted to the specific claim made or to the subject-matter of the claim. > > > (4)  Where the Commission, in deciding any matter before it, proposes or intends to take into account any matter or information that was not raised before it on the hearing of the matter, the Commission shall, before deciding the matter, notify the parties concerned and afford them the opportunity of being heard in relation to that matter or information.