NEWS-HR

The Health Services Union is fighting a s.394 (Application for unfair dismissal remedy) before Fair Work Deputy President Sams in Hearing Room 14-2 – Level 14 in Sydney (Gorman).

A s.185 (Enterprise agreement) application from Deniliquin Nursing Home Foundation Ltd T/A Navorina Nursing Home for The Navorina Nursing Home, NSWNMA and HSU NSW Enterprise Agreement 2017-2020 has been granted by Fair Work Commissioner in Newcastle on 16 March 2018.

Community Housing Limited has a s.394 (Application for unfair dismissal remedy) it must answer before Fair Work Commissioner Booth in his Brisbane chambers (Moran).

A s.185 (Enterprise agreement) application by Hobart District Nursing Service Inc for its Hobart District Nursing Service Inc Nurses Agreement 2017 has been approved by Fair Work Commissioner Lee in Melbourne on 19 March 2018.

A former child psychiatrist has been found guilty of sexually and indecently assaulting a female patient in Perth almost 30 years ago but has been acquitted of similar charges related to a second complainant. Ian Stuart McAlpine stood trial in the WA District Court charged with 17 offences, including sexual penetration without consent and indecent assault, allegedly committed between 1988 and 1990. He was convicted by a jury of seven offences, but acquitted of 10 others. Prosecutor Alan Dungey said during the trial that McAlpine’s molestation of the victim escalated over time until he penetrated the girl on her 18th birthday, and the sex crimes continued after that. She eventually complained to the Medical Practice Board in 1991 and McAlpine admitted having a sexual relationship with her, resulting in him being struck from the roll of medical practitioners. Police were also informed but no charges were laid at the time. In a police interview, the victim said she felt “dirty and ashamed“, but also believed she needed McAlpine’s love because he had brainwashed her. Defence counsel Linda Black had argued McAlpine began a consensual relationship with the girl on her 18th birthday. Mr Dungey said the second complainant kept a diary and believed she and McAlpine were in love. But Ms Black argued the girl had “fantasised the whole thing”. The court also heard McAlpine was previously convicted of indecently assaulting another patient. McAlpine will face a sentencing hearing on April 18.

Melbourne Health will defend a s.739 (Application to deal with a dispute) before Fair Work Commissioner Cribb in Conference Room E and Conference Room F – Level 6 in Melbourne at 12.30pm (Turcan).

A s.185 (Enterprise agreement) application by Australian Unity Home Care Services T/A Australian Unity for its Australian Unity Home Care Service NSW Enterprise Agreement 2017 has been granted by Fair Work Commissioner Wilson in Melbourne on 16 March 2018.

A s.739 (Dispute resolution) application by Peter McAndrew against the Department of Human Services has been rejected by Deputy President Kovacic in Canberra on 14 March 2018. The case summary: Application to deal with dispute under the Department of Human Services Enterprise Agreement 2011-2014 – jurisdictional objection: dispute does not relate to a matter under either the Agreement or the National Employment Standards – jurisdictional objection upheld – application dismissed.