Eggers v Queensland Resorts Pty Ltd [1997] QIRC 167 (1997) 155 QGIG 74

Q~~Ef:NSLAND GOVERNMENT fNDUSTRIAL GAZETfE ,,., Mav. l 997 ,)LEENSLl\ND JNDl. S i!<.lAL Rl:LA1 JU',S CUMM!SSlnt·! Cf)\1;\11SSi<_)NER HL0()\1_FIELD R~lnslaternent Uisn-1_i,:;s0J -- Tcnnination of Ernplnyrncnt Ptup•~~ity fvtrnager. Tt}uri:;! Rc\0rt -· Applicant di.c,pukd dw.r ierm!nr::ti(,;fi v.,0s J. rcd1mdrrncy Aj:plicant pe.rfnrnlcd \vork in:tially un a ,·oiL111ta.ry ha·"jt; - /\pph\-ani •;ecured incorn..:_' by way of promotion of tuu:- s:1k·~ on h~r charter n~.--.:~ei 1\ppli-1.:ant h1ter e.n;;agfd us fri!J~tirn.:~ cmployt::c. Arbitrated \·l::1rter -· Pu:,;itic,n of Property :Vlan.Jgcr \\'as gem;rne1)' redund,J.nt - Tenninm.ion \1,;as J:1· 1r ,';"th(~ rca:--.,_,n - fcnnlnaUcm nol harsh unjust or unrc;j:.-,ctnh!e /\pphcatiop di:c-:inissed -- l\pplic:mon by l'.!npliJ)'Ci fur co"ts disrnls•,ed. This L-> an appii:.::aiiun hy Barbara Anne Eggers \1,bich :~eek:-; he: 1 rc.ir:st;_ltt'-ITh:!ll to her iorn1u position of Prnr-:1~'.r!y I\-1"anap:.1 \\··itb ()uee.n.c,,bnd Res<,rl;. Pty Ltd :it the \.V±1itsunJay V?llage R1.>AJrL Ai, ite Beach in t-Jt nbour A,pni l 99/4 Ivie~ Eggers entered im(l an arrnngt>.nK:m \v1th th.:~ (then; l\.·1::1.m·.gt'r nr the \Vhitsunday \/ilbge Ri.:snn (the Rc~orr) to op.:~:att~ the F:e:-iorf:-:; tuur SiJks de1:.,k The arr.-inge:Tlt:nt V,'as apparently a c1Jn1n1t.r;_,~al OHC v.:nh f\fr:,, Eg~e.rs ·-:dhng a \vidc rctnge of tuu.r; ;_rnd t;,c-ing able tG f:pcclfic4-t!!y pr,,rnotc day trip,'. <1111.l overnight charters on a ve.~~d kno\<;n iJ~ '·Thekl;/'. v.-hich was juintly O\vned \v.ith her fJw_,'ciaml C\)n1rnis.;,;ions \Vt.Te p;:iid 10 the :.~:~~:'. 1 !2~n~\~ 1 t:-~:--:.:~~l;~;~;~~tK1gh the tow de.~~-, induding ~aks tf)r trip;; and The arra;1gernt:nr crmtinui;;d unril De-ct:nibc 1994 \Vhcn ;\,fr Egge; s wa:-: i:1v:)!\T\.i :n a ~erin~h ffiOh1r ;)CCdent. Jc tht:: period bef1,.vecn December ; 994 2 M::iy, 1997 QUEE~SLA~D GOVI:RN?vlENT INDUSTRIAL GAZETTE 75 and July ! 94') !\·lr:-; Eggt·;·\ paid for two SDff tc1 r;nmt2ia th,~- tuur :-:1..!lcs desk J.l the Rc~;,;\rt su lhat it \\-'D!_dG be 2.vajlJ.hlc to her t{, pn)rn0te and ~el! pas:sages on ''Ti':d: ;a" \l.,1 hen ii carne back irno cornrnission aft.er h(·r husband had n:c:y,·ei-c:(i froni the accident. \frs Eggers \.\nrkcd p-enodicaHy m lhe dc-"k during i.his pcrit)d. h _kt) t 'l)~ the Thekla w;:>, re-cc11runi~;~:i,1-ned and \fr':> Egger" :csurned her ru!s:: t)pcr:J!in_g the tour saks ,._:.t_:.:.;;k. For n.:a5,ons \\·hicfi 3.re uncieJr l'-.1rs Egg;:r,~ began to tUlfil a rok in the tri{inc.rs~erncr:r of the Re~ort ir:.:.elf afti;~r h.:.'.r l\~tu,-ri tn the tour sales. desk in J.hcur,-. ;_Jy During the coHne cf her e\·idc-ncc a rnernnr;.rndum ro all staff frnn: rhc il!1en i !vfonager df th~ Resort, dated 17 August l 995, w~l'~ prcduced rhi:-: mt:rnor:rndnm included the crnnmenr '\·ffe.ciiv;~'. nnmcdiately i3:i.ih:.tr:~, Lgf'.cr~. i1.; rcsr:1or;,;lh!e for the a.:\.::JffiITlOlblion nper;:1;::cin of the Re-,orl \Vhich iHclutk:s r~~Cl-ptinn :md hou~L'kez:ping Any ;._if.cJsiou'- tq be m.aJ~ ,vi!! h-c rrtade by he-: ' Nirs Eggfrs did not rcc(::ivc an:,; dift'Cl r;.:;;nuneraiion frorn thi.' Rc:•-mt fnr pi.:.rfu.nning thi:~ ruk. fiy -,... i_,iuc of 1hc ag-rceneril \~.:hich had been put rnh1 pbcr 1'-1IVi Eggt:rs tonncd tn-:: c.·1L·\A· rhJ.t ''it V-/'.i<:; an rntegral part of my c:nploym.t:nt that thz: Kcson w;:t" Ju pr,Jmo!e ,. Chekla'' .JS thi:~ \Vd.S esscnt1:lily in lit-'u of a \-\"J.f.:c" Jn Pccetnbi.:'r J 995 the ~-!an,iger 111· the !·{eson lcfl and the ~...1:.1nagmμ: DirLc1111 of Queensland RcstJrt:., P1y Ltd, 1 l\·1r Hackett, assun:ed greatt'! rt>spc,q:sihility for th--.: opera!ions of the Rt "'(Jr~ He ;.;poke to hc:1 aht)Ut tJf'.cc,ming an employee of the Re~Jrt and ihe accepr.ed the po::~ition of Ac;._\;rnn::.:Jdation ivL.J.nager in Janwtr:,· i 996. A -~alary \Vas ne~,ciriat~d ;;.nd 1hf.'rc \>.:;1-.: _s;,urne di\cu~;~JOn ahuu.t the future ;;1rrai:ige;nent.~ rt:garding ···TtK'.kian tt·L Hackdt inLJnned me thal he had spDkcn tu rvtrs f,ggcrs and indlCated th<.\/ 'Thc-k.!a'' vvould have to rx~ ~old un tht: i,;arnt- basis a;,:; L)!her bo:lt~ bu! I h~Jt he realised, 1.n practicai t(rm,, that by virtue uf her --;a-qgg persur,alHy and authority over rhe rour office she. v,iould unduubtcdl;r tJe pu:·-Jii::r the ,,.-l]1ekla'' harder thtlJ'i anyihing ebt'. in acy eH.'DL the rnatkr J;d r1ot a•_,,.,urr;e rnuch i;nportancc a! the ttrnt' bcc:,u;..,c "ThekL1'' wai; being tk-Lomrm,.... sioned and did no:. recorni:rit~.i"i>.~-C .::!1arkr nper~;tions urnil Jnrn.~ i 996 j1 v,\;_s ::ununon ground ht:-l\.VtX'ri 1hc 1s::spor1::1ent ::-md ~hs Eggers that ,~flt' at ~di !mx-s pc: formed her duties r1s the A.cconunodatkin ~'1;:rnager to a very hit·: :~u,..Hiard l-J:cr pcrfonnancc \A·;,1c mentit;ned in so:11pE1nentary 1.:.~nn"- b)i fvh Haciu1 in {~t le:Jsr) vne oi" his repdns tn trh: Board in :1brnu :;pri! \ 99b rhi-:, Company n.1;1;_k: ~.ornc abi...Jrt1vc atlempts l(: in.su:1 a\'! !!•1puier -;y~wrr1 a: the Re:--ort 10 enati~e it to b-;.~ncr 1rn.:.nage the c~::--h which , 1,::1·., be.i.ng re1:ei".Jf'<L TL<: atk1npt WJ.s a failun: and, a1thouph no hiame \V:J:-- h:.id a! \-li;.; Egger:~_ ii \-Va.;; \1r lhi.ckeu's viev-: dut hei rnc,:pe;·11...•nce rn 1,.(lf;'lr,\ct•~'.J'. h.::.id f"\:)l J.C~5".i.<-tt"'d the ~ini;;,tlon i I'.'< t·•,:i,L""'.ncc (v.1hich l a(:ccpt) \.-Va:~ thD.t. he encouraf}::.d 0.'tf:-~ Egger, to ftHJ ~.1. .:~tr;~r:g front orfic':', per:,,:m who ('.()oJd rn:magt' the 1runl 0ffic0 and ihe 1<1U!~, d,.:."k ht:L-~UJ'.<e he k·.!t. Jt th;:·i\- lime. that rhe tour 5:a:cs con1rr1i:.;sion5- \1.,crc ;,igndicantly down or v.:hrt1 they should have hetn ,t.;-.,;J:uendy nothng \.va:--. d:::ine aboul the from i)fftce. po.'-iition by ~o/'Irs Egt:t:I':-,; {_::,tie di\p:.nc.:., that ;-he \\'a~ giv:>n this in~tnJt.'tion but I ,1.:ccpl tlut r)he v.-J.~:) ~-.nd \fr Hackett u.1ok ;; uprin hirn~df to {.::tgagc ;::in ex1•,~rienced, 1..-c:mputer !ih.'ratt.>, p,_-Tso;1 to ntanagi.:' rhc frorn office, tour desk and the in;-,taH:1t.tcn :_;( !he con:prncr system l\:1s Elit:abeth fvh:rsh '.Ntis engagt•.d to pcrti_,r,-,1 this rtlle and, afkr ,1 pe-rit:d ofzr.1ining in the. Co.mpar:y's head u(fi:..T 1n Iir!~-.h:.~11e, ~ht: rn"wed 1.r1 the Pe::nr: a1 l.hc c.nd ct" Ju.iy i 996 lt ·-ee1ns ;:hat there \','c;re :--umt difficulties het-.vC-t'n \,t,. !\-1cr:,h :md ivirs Eg:;crs ab;_1ut !rKir n:~f){~.clivc role-•;.; ar:d c.1d1 nf th,..:m \V<Y keen 10 hav1-'. _t\1r H:1ekt'.\t detenninc tbc'.i! precise rok~. in ordu thrii they could Jvrnd '.'<tepping on e~;,J_: oth£'.c,:; toes !r WJ\ )',,Jr }-I:.v:keH.'s ,;;•t:idcnce ;kn hf iC\''k'\\.:ccl the staffing ;Jrr:.mgcrncm.< :H fh;;; tin1c and decided lu achancc the :,:;reG.tion of :t l;ropc·rty !\-·1am:gs:;.r po.<tiun \\·hich he haJ 1ntcndc;..i tu {:n:ak: in t'1re-c: or .k,ur rnonth.-. tirn~ tn a:,,,:!sr hilll in th~_; le:1~ing of J oJnmH.:rcia! {k\·clopmcnt f'Krng built by th,;.-: Cornr,1n; ::ldi;-:.c::t1t_ tc th;: RestJrt. Ur until that tinie. he had intende(l that \-l\ rv1cr:-:h nnd \!r~. Eft!(~rs \-'v\\uld 1,vurk tngeth(·r and thnr fds !\-1..;r~h. aftt:r installing 1.h;_• coinpuicr :,,ys1.ern, \."•:)uld be able lu ;..'xpand tlie h)ur '<ih:'s of i.h,:; Re¼t."if1 h:, \vo;-kiny. n-:c;re clo:--dy \VHh Oi)er;1to,s m the \\'h1.tsundav r:...'.g-ion t-k dc'cided th:tt he would offer thr Prnp{'.rty fdan:.,gcr po:~i1i0n tL f,,.,fr,~ Eg_ger~ :.ind giv,__· M~: \tJ\ll t.1n cnhan:.J_~d nJc in the management (>f the l(e.~on. i"hose chanfc~, \o,:k p\Kc on or ~tbout l 2 Augu~)I 199(1 wh:.:-n :\!Ir-:. Egger~-. \V~t< g(v,;-~J! ;..l dr:"di o! her pos_ition de:-:cr.iption The final positicin dt~:..;l~ript.icn w::-1.,, finaliicd sh:Jn ti1ne late, It \VJS ~~-t- H;:ickctf:-. intemion. in creating the Propc-rty j\:hmag(~r rok. io have J\1.rs Eggers p1 inc]paHy hand\e the leasing and m:Jnagcrnt:n! af rH:iv s'.1u~Y.: - other than to 1n;:ijoi tcc~:ints such \1cDonakb, A.ustralia PPs! eti.: during the construoion peri,:,i:.L In order tbJt J\,irs; Egger-;· nc~w role cc,u!d h-:· betre.1 understood by the ,\irlic Beach curnnmnity he arranged fer ct'tlatn press coverage of h~r ;:1ppGinlinent :rnd her nc\~i respon~ihilitie:-c The appoint.men! v.a:.; repnned in tht: loc:.d print rncdiD and indudcd u ph0L;gr:1.ph o1 !\1rs Eggers. Howe.\'f:'f, du1 ing a ver·y m!enc,;e pcr]ud in btc-•August I\·fr J-!ad(t.tt .va;.: put rn cnn:.act \Vtth a nurnber uf pcri.,;ons and cornpanit'5 by 2 \'h:, I.fradk:,,., of PRD Rea1ty which rcsnitc.,J in lease con1n1itments being ;\hLi11ed for ;__i ITl~\}onry cif the new shop~ to be con;;.tructed On or ahom 2 l Septernber 1vis ?viersh \-V~i\ appoir:lcd ~is ,1\:ting Re:.;(;rl Gc:nera11\'1unagcr. !v1r Hackett h<ld earlk:r expLtlned 10 hoih i\-fr~ Egger:- and ;he per:;on -,_,vhc :~oed ~Le\ the Food and Br1:veragc ~.il~tnJgcr Jt. the Re~,ort tk1L once an appuir:tmem \V;J.:'I made to rhc Genc.1,.d \-hwagt:r position. !l1c po:-;ition~ of /i.crumrnn(hnion iV1anager ~tnd F\Y_Ki t..1nd [h-:.. v-erJge !\-1anagci, respt.'.ctively, V/Ould be downgraded w~th ~orne of 1hn:-:1:- dutie~ hclng undenaken by the General ?vlanager On i 2 September, and priur to the abcve appointrnen!, \1s !vicn,h -·- who by that t]rne \VJ~ fotaHy in ch;.irge of the tour \alc-t-i desk --- had \Vrirh.:r; 10 :\-lr-, Frrer~ about a corrip!ain1 received frorn ani.1ther H:'Ur office in Aidie Bea\._-b \Vhich irnphcd that it that ope1ah)r diJ not support '·Thekh" the \Vhit.,_:.;unday Vilbge R.t:\ort V-'OU!d Viirhdra\v ~nppo11 for that oper~lor's product. \1.-; iv1er~h·s kner also referred to pressure whi~h st:tff of the Re:--ort were :.dkgedly heing put under hy :\1rs Eggers to rnarket "Thek;a'· .\1rs Egycrs \l,:a~ infonned that ivh \·krsh wn:-' 1•.:""pon5ible for the H1ur office and 1hat ihc ,:.1ppro::1ching of other agent; '·1,vi1h threars and in:-.inuation~ is urn.1ect:pL1}_1le''. Shf; v<Ls also infonned thrh no ,;,pecial pnority \\/8.S to b~ given to "Theid:;'· l\1r,.; l:ggers responded i.u this icttcr -- addrcs.:,,ing it to "Dear i\--L-1ci;i_rn·· Oil the -;arne day ;,,;1renuo:,;sly denying fhe allegations conuined in \h l\:1crsh's lettt.~r. She nl~o dre9,-' tutention to rhe ·'long standing relati:.:m.::hir: ber;vccn rny boat Jnd the Res;or1'' and ,vent on to expres.s he1 concern th:-.it thc:1\: h;;d he.en a conccrw.d ca,npaign against the pn..1-;noti0H of "Tht0:kla" ~rnd 1b-it the marketing of her ho~.1r \V3.-. not equiv:-,kni to other products t!iJ! v.'e.L· being :-:nld She a~kcd for rhc :-;:.m1c c \J)USun-: as other prodact" The dlcgaiion:-: about alkgcd 1ff:.propriety \Vere nroi.ighl ic \fr Hackot's Jtteniiun by -~1s \1ersh_ fv1r Backclt abc n.:£:civcd S\~\·'t'ra: cnmr,lain~:-: b;m.-,:elf -· it::Judinr: one fn::nn another operator :_ind ont: frrnn ;:in t:rnp!oy:..'.c a.t ~he t(iur cks:k - and V.if()!_c to .rvtr\ Egger~ on if< Septemh~r erKlo~;jnt! ;1 c;:py of tht' \\rlttcn cornp!alnh y,,:hich he had n=-:ceJ'itd. She \l,:as .1sr,'._c;J t,) !C'.--.pcnd rn \.vriring by the folh.1•,.v!ng day. \·1r~ Egger;,: prepared ;-1 (k.tailed response l(1 ihe letter _in \vhici, she referred to a pn.-viuu.-; con1rriercia1 disputt; invoh,ing a nurnbcr of cha.rttT b\1:1t rip,;:r::itors in l-...irhc BcacJ1 \Vhlch Y\;,h found to h<lve cnntrsvcneJ the Trade Pra~:tiu.'~ Act ;1nd her concern tha1 the.re rnay hD\e been ;:i carnpaign "to undcrn1lne rn: pi_;:-;iticm of ernp_;oyrnent wiih tht.: Rc:.-.mt" The ictlt:r abu ,;::-xprt~~sed I\-!r~ Eggtrs" concern ih!t the rnarkctlng uf .. ~fhdda" \Vas not tquivaic.nt ti.) the rnarketing of other prod:.1cts and th~li sh(' had, •·a~: J.ny dilif..cnt O\vner \•;ould, cndeDvourt'd to ensure rhat rny bo,1t i~ givc:n the "-:1ffie expo,ure ~1s other \-esseh" .She v.-'ent on iO deny that she v.-'nuic'. ever ff'/ 1P uf>e her pos.irion at ihc Res\)n to the detrinlent of :.he Re--,ort to irnpro\·c he1 !)\\il1 ll1h:?L:'.St \1r Hac'.!':ctt de('lcJcd. a~ a rt:sult of his investigalinn~ ,md \-frs Egp:'.rs· rc;-,ponsc rc1 th{": ;.1llcgari..:ms. that the matter had been sufficiently clarified ;:rnd tnat tvfr:, Egger~ understood the ba:-.i-; upon whi(h she could prom::A::.:. ·'Ttti.~kLf' ~md tht~ ha¾is upon v.·hich the Resort \VOtdcL ii'.;df. prPn-1nte iW ;"el Hf decided 10 t:t¼(c no frntht:r ;ictinn in relation tq the niJ:tt·-r A f~;\;. days la~er. ~r,,;: noted ~thovc, ~-1s \·'icr,h v,·;:1--: appointed ;1c A, :inr R,:~ort G..:·nt:ral \,1-:ina_g,:r Un :·~3 Scp1cmi_1('r :VL Hack.en V/H)k tu ~frs Eg,fZer:~ ab(1Ut a r;1.mibf•1 rr;;.1tter~: /\ftf:r reft'rnng tc !heir d.i:-:cu~<:iun on the prev'iqu,;; Fnday about "Thekla"" ar:d the level of ~uppzYrt to ffi~ giveH by the R~::011'" sr;i.ff, 2nd c>,)nfinning hi-; t::arlier arhic-c of :he :1ppnint1nent 1.A· ~-is Ivkr:-:h t_o lhc Ading Hc~\1rt Cieneral \·1anagcr ;-o!c, he ore\;,· lo t\frs Egft~r..:' anu1110n thJl th1~rs.~ v,iue \)nly three remaini.ng tz•rw.ncit:s av;iibble in the prnp,;•:-.c.d new dcvviopment. H.t-: \\'Cnt on iu md1c;rtc· -- 1 of 2 -- QL;EENSLAND GOVERN!\1E:\T INDUSTRIAL GAZETTE " \1ay, l 997 ir: his l:YidL'nCt' \1r H::.:ckett in1::-,rmt'':i mr 1ku V/hen he :-;pr,)inkd \,frs E,J;gcr:,, k \he rule c:!- I':Op\.'.H)" tv1an-'-lgtt he expt"~Ct<:.·d 1he rnk tD he a iong•-~(:nn 1.. 1nc, but n.n, -:c,mmcn:_:in,l~- a-; car\ as tn."". h:.id crt~aU.'i.~ it }L· 21'.c: ;n!d 1ne ;h~;t bt.·c;:__n_L'-;__, b ..c: ~wti\. lp:111..,.d tba! \Omc ;,,h;2ht Pvt:r~:tdt"fing migh~ oc-.Tlf fh.' ltopc;! th<it _\1r:-. E\.:;;crs..; ,;,(iul.d be ;_·h;t: l•J \ugμ-cs1 ~.•~mie Ik:\V r::· nG\'el rok fr,.r Lcc-,;'-~jf \\•h\::t 'A Cl:::..~ ;-.c bJ;h :o I.er t>(:th:fir an,:::: the lx-,rL:fit of :he c,.rgJni:,0:i!~•f!. ln ;a:ying ;hi· he h;id ir: 1nind Jhe fa,~::. tl-:~it ?vfr:-:. Fg);,.'L~ had pn:·,,.o~}sl:~ tLi:·,un:.tr:ut·d cerL!rn bu:-in._''.-.'-· :1.1.:1.imcn J.nd L'n~:ci\y in :1cquiring tk' tnur de:-.k a: i:hl' Re:-1,..1n :ind :.:;:_.:i(_'i.:e~sfuily ;,1L1:.:ing hei.'-c.'lf iritn ;i i:i:.uiagcuH..:nt rok '.'Jithiii i!H-' ~c..-;nrL :1hhough ;,:l-h: wa:--: nu: 1_1r, s,JJ.-.tt) \-1r f L:... keu ::_]:.;;n to!d r:H: i_haL hc~:·;.;usc ('f the · rnexpt.,.C~i..'.d \Uccc~-:.:-,; in kJ.,;,,ing Ck-- -~i~w dc\·.clop1nu1i and :he :1pprnn:_mC"1.:.: of fvb ~-'l;._·r\h a:,; :\i..:tinz; R:._·,vrl C.t·ner;_d j\'1an:irc,r, ihe HoaL! nf the ComJK,n:) fud ck:--:err~·i.in~d t~iHt ii c,J.,.;h rn1r ~l:u?L:ially ;:i~1Hc tl:1 111:1itiL~in :\--frs F-1:~§'t'-f\ in her rz_,k· as P:·opcny ~--1:J.n.1;;:t.'1 Fnor 1.0 th1, i\fr f-Ltc:kc;i h,.~d been f;f t!w YiCv-/ that he \J.i;J'~ prt;i<-'.i'!...d regard 1::,r \ih Egp.:\ :s· ahi1it::,- and bec:JUS(' ht· tnd ":·;_ g:-1.:>:tt dc:d o~· ccinfidcn;__T' th~tt wi:h Badmr;-1 's !t::1:H:iiy and tk:_u ·nin:1iicm r.h:,r >,he \'i-';J.,L.! lind pk:\:; uf 1hin_g:, t!1:1t ~he h'o,;kl bz: \.-'e1y - very able to ,:cntrihuti.: !>) :be C, in1p:lf1\1 J1; i1a r::r.1J)· \O :\1r J--~acb.:rt ·: n...'.1..Jl!1:-J ::.ibout rhc ruk: ,...,.i-,k;1 c.:.he rnighr :_1e Lthh.· ln pt~! ronn in l~k· fut:1J\'. i'v1r:,; F,~r.. fr;\ rcfr.ned :u th1.' su1kr;·;cn: c,f (i:.J(h_:.:..; ~ir !he t';-up~..'tty \.t::uwFc.r ·:.:.nd hi2:h!;g.~1kd th<.).'--.C v.'i-t;(l ;;;ht_: :,,;\Jd th:H slis.: u·Jud '--·:,nct;ntr,;t,.,_. un ~-n-1d "llfa:~'.',..'_-.;tt.::d ti1at rnrno.,cr c.t: rh~ HC'sort C(1u!d b•__, _i_1np10,1:.'.cl drnrH::t1(:~J.l,1 ·'1f \\'{: -:..;c:n::t·n1r:.t!td on irnpruviu? :h,,:·. pw~;em,'.,i,;-:L cieaniir;c:-:~ ;,in;J rn:_;mtt.:runce df n;~· Rc:,oif :md th:.u it ixa'.-- m tha: c:1:cc.:irn1 tha: \b.:· \Vi:-·hcd t<) .-IC\'('rL' IH:; '(:""!ergic:< \rt: :d,;;_::; s:Jg:ft::·/td ~:. rY:k if! trJining ::tau in ,jj·v';.'" ffk')I; ... :Hi, ':Ji ;,--;nd :nip; '-")'yCd .\t;df rcl~niu:)~;. h,->r :L.f \1 1 rc\.\'1\1.' .-\,...:cur,-Iingl.y. he f.. i.Cl('.d tu 1:11pkmi--:-n1 :he r!t>•.:iston of 1hc H, ;-:)rd t h.11 \-'ir< L~:gcr~, :·,,_. El~h.k n:::.-1\.i n(::rnt rmd fk' ~ifrZ'lnfi'd U_"\ spe~_;.i,, 'A'll h li,:r. ['/;1,_·,1u,::::;, tekp!E)ih~ ,_-m; O;,~tc:l-,-:.if i ◄ )9t n,.!i'lni~ lhat ,ii-:.1,.;;~.s_i:Ji: .\ir \-!~1:::..kc-ti rnk:ink:d \h~ F:.-:;g,:1\ th,11 ~'e'-·;ni~.c of:,. :crnbi;:.1tiun ~Jf tbc reccn1_ ic,,n·u::· uri:· L'l th,'.:' ni,m;-~}t.:rw:n: fY;:-:1!iOT\ ~~nd the hir:h L\.:_~-rrt,: of ].-2::i:--iPt s;,.ic,:e.,:-:: 1:1 rc:-if\..::d \1t :l:e c~Jn1mcr:...ia.i <~~;,. chiprn·~rr ht'.1' v:nd:. L)~)r! h~~d bern drama :cJllj r-~~;iu;,_,,_-:d Oil ltLi b~)\~_; he i11\();:·nkd iier 1:-:~tt :it'. :'l:td .;ondudu:.i ::h:it the h!l-t:rn~- piY.,ir>r of ?~,,p,..·n:~.i '.\·b::uger \':::.L"- nut \\~1n:il:h.::d :1rid tk.t ;h'-:- !\.'_~·11::.1 ,1i.ng L..~:~k 'i \s,t::;..:!.:'. l_>i: ~-dh_:.:.:::,j:t~d bet ,,,,-r:i:::n 1:·ic• P.1.:.•sc,rt Ccncr:il l\,,t:_-,na;.Tr. tht.· Chief f-k 1u"'\.:ku.0·p2: ·.:nd rhe (um;xln} :,,; CJ-.-:.rk (:fV/,_)rk:--: on .~iii: ;,,nnktng :-:.:,tJi pc•"i1ion t!~Tc,:;t,·,:.Jy n:.;idihi;:iit 1\·1::-..: Eg~;,,,, \.\_.-a:. dJ~-,, inf:HTn"-d Uul c;(:,\::::r to the upt'.ning time fn1· t/;1-:: Jf•l: il :,it•:_: ilk· p(_1:--i~1un \>.c,uld be H''-:i::h-'Sd h~~..__,;ng P,'pud tc d1e circumsta1Kc" t:.::r1n;1.:21~.'(L ~_:{fr;t,_·:i ... -,: r:ti Fri1!; l Fi Ucu.·ibcr ~ •_:, :1). •·· r;~yrn' ,i, i:1 (.,.;'ti f;()i;L·'::'. H.3 di.,:cth::,j\_1:1 \.v'.th ht-r "'--;tc: cnr/i;T:°J:_'d rn wriilllf ()~- t"'bfT ! r_;{;-:-, \'.ih-;ch \;,·:r.; '.u lH.'.r on: f k:tob::r. fh::> lt't!.cr <.ii~o rnfon1;n:! \t;~-- Egft:f:\ tn:.1t l\fr FacLel! \\,nuld t~ 'J~:in;~ hi\ Ue< t_'f)\L'a\{L.f', tu i.'.ll~".:i.)U!:·.. ),'\::' ;h1..· ::,~lle.•, :-u1:r tr: pn'tj)!{.);c' ~h,~ 'Tllt'~;):J' \'-·LrncY::.::· n,._1.,~-:;r.,! 1:· Ii; t;i,; ,_:~•:rh:--:.1 ~..:vid,::n.__~(_· :'vir t-L:._:k;;:>tr irdc,rnL:d rT1L lh;'.~t lw ;-.. ;_1;i ;__s_iso t)fkr-:.':; J\ir;; E?ECr:---; :he npponurn:y to e~~rnbi!,J; ~1 :-:ai~·s briu!h ar rn..' Ui:'li 1;.·,1 '•Tr:ekh" ,m 1Ih~- B:ur:h<1;k, t.t~'t ::dt'.ntly :1dj,:tL'L'U the !}·'-'sr,:·t, bu1 t!1s: !(u; 1·1!\~: (k·cli!1:..•.-; It -,,_.~h ::L<o h,;;-; ('\ idencc d1~,t \fr.\ Eg_~!t~r.,, h;::uJ \i,i ! hdr;·,.,;..·n !-.,., \:n ,c1ti: T:_ 1 : HU!.1..·ri:J] h oin UK ~-:r::--.on· :~ r<)t~r s;J k-.. ;1.h"<! ~uid th,:H_ n::..iJ ,_L_•Ju1::d :_o .1 ~rnrnbcJ. uf bn,_'ki1ig-:, :(..::r tb.1~ \t",~,d w!i.i~-h :\~d'-> '~t-.f;';-1tten·!;'i.U; ~u pL. ii:h h,~·r. ; ;1·.:ccp! ;;il of ;_hi~ :·\l;!t·1:u,:. ~onif..' ,_{v,hich \\;";:, :< 1>:ptt..·d f::,· 1Vi:·" L;:f,:--;-.; :1::d ,.;,_e>:Jk: uf\\b..::h \\.~,:-- ,_"l;:-;puk:d fik: C\·iL!1.'i.il_ ...~ uf M:-. .~·h:~,~i-. c,_1nt~1rncd ,"CHLC uf j\-i;- HJ. -~.:lt'<, C\ ;\.l'.'111,..: z11;~1 ::he ',cr:~Haif.ly 1nL_inLcd itk:: th<-ii during !h:_: (:Gtir~e (/ St:pf<.-~rnh:.·r ~: riunJ1~1 '1_f t~-ur bnokii'!/' 11y the Resori un th\: "Th.ck!:~-- \\-·er~-, dcchicd h: ,\Ji~; Lg·~:!:, :!nd her Lu:-.Lnnd :md ih:.ti i!K p::_;:._-.,t:;-1~•;::r:-,; <.•.-ere. in rurL. :dl:r:.-cd \c utii:._·,- ch··_:rk~ 've..-,sds [,fr Tclio1d. \Vhc reprt-.;z.-nttd ~fr;,:; Eggers, :irgW.;.'d ti.1 at 1\frc: Eggert.: Wt-t; \~mpin;-t;;J',, by ;he Rt:~on lf n,.:_,; in Apnl l 994 1heH cc:rt1inJ:,, rn Aufw'1. 1995 \vh,::·n thi.: rncmorandurn \Va'~ ;.;1.:n1 to staff by the 1:her;) ~,-1 ·,:·1:-:1gl'.r inforrnrn? thcn 1 that i\.frs Eg};,::c~ h.ad bt.'.t.::f: appi1in1ed 1(1 t:1c poslti1...--.1: er ;-\cc:...1rnn.,cd,1non ;;.1~mag.t~! H\' ahq :,uhmitted that i; \\•a:-; ar: Hliq~r ~:l p:-:rt c,J \fr~; L~:_g~:r'-i' rernunc·:·ati0n p.:-tcka;;(' thJt ~-ti;:• bc: given the opponnnity tc rnarb·1 ·'Thck\;:1·· Lind tku bc(·J.U\t:' nf her ioss c:-'ernpioyment al !?ic .n,"'son :-.he h:~d al~o suffered t:°E' lo:-:\ oft.ickt·! \ale::; or; :be ·'Th1::kla'· '.._),.·'Jl,lch, on thi; C\-'idcnce, v.· ..:n~ ··,vonh m the \'icinit\ j- $),OOCi f'l'f ,_:vftK ($4.000 nc(; \vhibt ihc t"():·11 ;,va:-. ln ccn1rni:;,;;1:Jn. \1r TdfoJ ! Jlsn 0rgrn~d th[i:. 1hc crr:pluycr h..1J [:Jiled w d.i\1.:harge the or,u;:; tu ..;;hui.\' that there \,,,.;:i,', ,1 \'a]id reJ'~ix1 for the ,ji-.:ni.;s:-:al. ln :his ;e:.-.,;:nl he ~,uhrnittcd that :he joh of Fn;1-)Cr1y f'....1:1nat,/'r ne\'i.::r existed and th~1! ii" J-,;J been cuntrl\.cG ;u :1<~ign J\irs Egger:-- t_._-1 the _iob \\.tiri1 t1 vi•~·\v tu !llti:narc!) ten1:in~it1ng ik'f c.rnployffient J.t lhe l-tc::-urr h '>',:J.:, h.n1h,-'.r -:.;-Jggc-:t;;d that ;-h1: ~1 nf(C1 ~11h coni1ic1 b-c:Lvce;i Mr E.gg{~r:, and vario:....c., cih;:...r pc,~nn\ ·within 1hc Ret-:on WJ.\ the trnc-- n·a-.;on th:Jt ~v':Ts Egger-~ \V:15 terminarcr!. rc.1fht'.r d~;m the rc·thi,d:rncy sugg~:·:-.rcd t·y the ,,rnpl(Jyer H \\<:s also su.hrniHed th;it ii \'-'as ·'ti..:('; mu :h oJ a co1nci1.ience tha: rv1r~ ~:~;:','~,v /;~'~'.,:.":, ;:;~i\:~•::: :1~· ~'l:'.~1~~;;. ~,·;l::•;:,:~t~:~::.1 ,;;,'."n~ ''.:'";'~, t:~ [/:r.h~u c.,he w:i:-; p·s::ri'nL;1inR, some or th;_' durlc~ ihat \\;:n: previt:u.•~1~.,. being perfunnix: by !\-'lr:-, Ezgcrs ;_rnd th:H her pu:-:ition could b~·· dtvc-loricd funh,~r ~mcc the:..:e proce,:-dingc; were d..:alt V/ith. I '-;hD;;;c1 ind1c0L: :H chi.-; iunctun: dmt I acct'V \fr E:-±i_:k~r.r'~; ,·vidcncc ;1nd ,\1rs Bradk~y's cvid-:-nu.: thnt fhc part ~,;'.:~;:;~;c\:::t:t;~';'; ,:;~;:: ;:::l~~ -~\'._~::::i~i:tf/ ,:;:;:)~~:~ 1::~\:~l:~f;:: ;' :::::;~;;;1\1:.ri:ir,cr .:.; rol,,,.-. if ii \\"tE t:ver l1 ffcr;:d ru }K'r .in tht.' furun; .V11 TclL_;.rd ~.. ubrn;Ut.'d th:.J reir;;,;t;::t1(·mt:·n~ \1.,::1'.-~ iinr,r~1ci.1c:il and rLir :nJ appropriate ;1;;;qunt of ~:ornpt:nsatic'ifl \-">)tdd be Sl\ mtinth/ \.v;1~t\ g:',en :ht' le '-l:;-: rh:1: >h:-- Eg-gcr:" hr:d 'lufk.rcd in s;ot bc:inf :1bh~ 1u 1ni1igak ht_'f ki•;_~,e;,, in 1hc _i.\idic F;,c::~-:.-h t.'rtVif(;;);-(k~nt when.' th'..·rc -,•;ac n.·<uu:d :_u;tarunl\ru toY,:J.J"d< h,J ~1:-- a rc.'>ult u-f th(· Trade- P~·r:r lice,,:.; 1.1;~:p1ne c•pportuni!y r,-, ;~n.;q;;...:i:.c sd:.:s un rnc "'fhd.-,;ia" ~v!r HJcL:11 ,:ui_J1nit!f'.d !hai ;\ h>t (d tilr.: mal1.:i ii\! ail\,.:tw..:~~d b/ th(: :};-ipii,;~nt ?;:L:11ed LO w1F3h;_~r ur nut h.-,.r p...·: li)nn:uKc 'XZ:S ;,d,;qu;:_J_t" ::.ind be :-,[r,;'-.\Cd rh;;r 1!1:;; t~rnplo:,'::'.' fk~-.,c.r had any difficd!:ics ;,,;,,-·itt1 ).,·fr.,., Fgve::, pcr1{)rm:in-:..·c .-dt;·n)U:211 h·: ,,u~~f'.(.'.~tt·d Hut th:::--e: ,;..-ere ~,:,1Hc id:c,_:_yrK-r:-t\ic::; \\.heh iud .~:;.iu.-..ed 1..:cnair. difC:cult_i_e_,~ He S!..1bm.ittt:d dw,: !he dl;;ni;s•:;;--d V/(.h f~.:r ~J valid r~:;-1~<~i1 u:-l:-:lt--d w tiv r:Yi.indanc:/ uf lk'~ piJsi:ion a-.;, Prnp;,.'.fiY ~frrn~J.ger v-.·hi~~;1 ,..,_,,as a :x.,\tt;on '1n;_n \.-Y;t~ ~;cnuj;1e:!y :.lv~1::ab!c'' In :,;:.Jppon :A 11ic., ;ufumt~n; ih~ rd·C:T-~·d t,1 hi~ cffor>, :c, L.1vc \fr:- f.\.;t1 ~r~:- ;;ppuiNnk·n7 n.:p,1r;ui in tlic· !r,caj piC'-~ ! fr· str,~1.;,,..;,:::.d that 11,e Bo:;rd Jud tnad:: ;, decF;it_m :h:n i: 'A:2:.., nrlt ,-~;w::·:,c;,i]\' \'i:1b!e tz; mair.1i.•iin ttf.• Pr,)ri.~•.ny i\hr;:1gu \: positi(·in \\'l;c:: tk: n::t--,on ior it..: cn~;-_,_1i,:,71 rud l:l-'.:t'.n (;VC'i;_akt~n by C:\-z:n~s i\h f-L~.::~clt _;_\l~c q_;brniUcd th:.n as tL: fk::1:-.1-.::1 n:::..pnri:,;;b;;;:: h(._: had h_i,Jkcd :_drcrn;_Hiv:.-: \\:,~y:--. t;,_; nu;n~'.tin \'tr::, Eg;;cr.:.. in cr:iplt-';'~?1cm and t-nd h~Ll di:-'...:·,;,,_,:,on" \1,:i/h h,.~!· :1!1c,;1; ~ht:\C :Jiat~fT\. Tht.> PpjiOilUitiiy h~:(\ J"",1;."CH provided tu lil~r :e, comt~ u_r; v-.:i1h :<)H1e ''i::r,tn:preileuri~J! ;;..icas or 1"1tt1t.-r :ckJ_',; \\,-h.:.:rch)' ihc C\,nipany (otlld fCt :-;( 1 mt: (·P.:JtnbLtir,11 1rurn th:~1:- in'-:cs11nu:t ;n h,.·: .. ;-fl;_)q,: edon::: li:ld Lik 0 d Firnl:) iv1r l!aci-:'..:'ft n,krr:::d ff:':' tu 1he :11!c;ed -....,-~_;,;,'.ft1~m:.: naiurc ;if :\h<.; Egg-~~r...,' anion.:; {;in-.:-c :-.ie.: lcrminat;on in r::,bur_· c,-...-,_;, i.hc J.e~:ss::': •->~. a hu.\in;::--,•. - ~:,~;:1z.\.'f1\ t: 1 the Rc:-son - \\'hich :-:he o\:.,:ne:::l and ;:_u,:.lr,pling 1he r,ame Ly \.vhi~ h h\..'.l pre\:inu•. 1-:Trip'.u:;e(;,, e:-.1abli.~hH1,~nf \-\a_..:., knov,,n :r h.icLpackc;--:.. (ff<:ll'S ("'!vlat_:i':Urn/') ii: ,;t'tliqr ur J fK:\\-' bu,in_(_·'2S H.c irn!m~-ued th;·,: thi,· lll,l\(L! n1~.vht be tik: 0ub_ject er .Jt!;::.r li!ig~1;_;-: 1 n. .Finally. \fr Had,,er: ,uhrr.iitt ....·d th,:.ir in ;:_iii :\( t_he :~'i;·cun1\T:UH~r:y the ~\ppliL:'tiinn (;;;uu:d h(' vie'.vcd a,;,; -.·;,.:\\;·1~juns ,_uH1 hi.:- o; g.;.,ni:::;:uiqn .:-hoi.dd L'>\' <: 1 \;.,ani,:d the -cos:-:. uf obtz.:1~ing kg:::J ,-;c1'.'i1.\:.: and the rr;-n·c.iling co'.'l!.'i ~t--.s.:ucwtcd ',!_;ith t!w rrc.p:1rntic'n for and cnndJJc :Jf, ibe hi.:.::iriq; ,\l the .;:,rn"'et ir i'.\ rn.;cc:~s:Hy t<ir r;1c to j'.tdi-~·att.'. that it i\ wy \ it:\.\ that ~1·1r:-:. L~~t!c-;·-... Jiu r101 bc~u;·k, Jc e:::-;_pluy•:-c nr tht' Rt·:-:n11 '!riJ Janu::u_~' \-Q9h. QU:ENSLAND GOVERNtvIENT INDUSTRIAL GAZETTE !h)l\.\11th,r:-_i_r:dinf the' n:~ii-eri;!l contarnrd 1n the mcincrandun1 tu stdl referred ;:o ~.. hc;ve. \1n, Eggers -...vac.. perforrm1:g certain rGic-;,, •xith1n rhe LipcratHms nf rht:; k.i:';:,f)r! frurn around August l 99'.1 unril Decc:niher l !J9S but. in rny view, rhc~t: \Vere pu1dy vclumary ~md •-.vi:re ass0chtcd with !vlf\ Eggers· d<~irc to m~·ili:i.Jic the tour .,;.,aks de.':.k and the hencf.ts tvhich anach-cd to iL h :'-. also very ckar upon ihe evidence thai ivfrs Eggers is~ very skilled ~rnJ highly tcn;1,::irn.1s m~nagcr who perturn1e.d hc'.f role in the 1nanage.rnent of the- h..-.:·•,on nc!wcen January and Octcbt'.f Jt)9() in a vt•.ry "atisfactory v,:iy l iDwi:,,cr, dc.:spirc it:-o :-.at1.•J:.1ction witL ht:r efforts the i',,-bnaginr Din.:l.:tor Jnd th: 8(,nrd of ()uce1;;,bnd Re~:A1s Pty Ltd \:.-as; not prep:m.:d tt) :1ppoin! her ;_;s Ac;-ing Genei.iJ i',1::mag-,_~r nor as Genera! ivianager uf !he Res,011 Ind•;.cd, ii. W'..l'~ !'vh Ha,__'kd(s evidence ih[:i hi~; dt:ci\!on tu engage l\1rs Eggc:rs :h ~rn c1Y1p:, 1 :.:e!: in J:::i.nuary l 996 .,;,·a:--: not ,vithout criticism frnm ccrL\.m Hn::)rJ :r!_·mbt..·1 ~ hut th;.H hb Yic\v ult:n-iatdy p1ev;1ilr-zi i ~h.:-u.:'.J:I ~vfr Ha;.:ke1t's ...:v1dcnce that \vhen he- acted to appoint ~fr~ ~;,;L'.i:/,~:'.,' ;;r;;,'.:~:h\''.,'~~:; ~~,'::n:::~':;, ',~,,:t:~~~~y1:,:,<;,![;:~ ,;~~,,~;:l~n ;\:_,,: \v;1<., i~i~a:-ly :-1 n~<d al thar_ tiiae ro .more ck~arly define th,: ir;.Jj,;idu;..d rolt~ to rx~ j<:r\;·,rnicd hy \t-: r-.--kr~h und hy \fr;-. Egge-rs, and 1 J:ic.::-ept that hi~ deci'-¥m 10 b:-11J:~ frirward iht: cre:1t1un of the Prcipt~n.y i\·1anagcr pc1~iti0n at :h;:;_t time \\''.!~, v;.i.:io;y rnadc lnving repird lo the. circ:.. in~-'!tance;; then krnJs.,vn 10 I-urn ~ .!:·1~';.:,rtu:w1cly f.':r Mr~ Egt;l'rs the obtaini;ig of cornrnii.n1cnts to iease thf' fh'\1- -:_,_1:n11·:erci:1l developrn,~,,1t ;;ccurred 1nuch yuil.:kc-r rban had been ~rx·.( T~~-d hy h-11 fhckcH ;_md ott!t-~r:; within the Cnrnpany. Concurrc.ntiy "--~'ith ihl'',~ ticve;npnh~nr,, b~:t ,;--!early urm.:lared hJ them J\-1r Hack~.tt and the Board du~Lkd ro ~tpp(,in1 ?-.--1:-' f\,·h.'.r•J1 ~~s At.~tlng General f-..1anager of the Rc~•xt on 2 i S,::-1 i(·mh(r 19 1~6 1 hc\~c developments, t.ukcn 1n cornhinatiun, c~:ttlsc.cl iv1r Hacken nnd the B;.:;.:d i·c cun~id(~! lhc fl\Trali nwnagement ~t;u.cture a! thi._~ Resort and the; J,,•.t..·1H1;rn:-ri - bai;ed upon finarLi~d viability ~1nd need that ,~<..:·rt:iin duti(~;.; prc\·1ou"iv pt'rr:n:1·::d hy the Food and B::·vcr:::g:e i\.-Lrn;1gcr and ,\~:~;crnr;.iodation ~tmager rc.,;p~ctivdy, could be a\::.:urncJ by J\1s ~k:.:,h and :L\t the iX>_•-,iLtrn u! Pvipcn:y f,-'t:1.n:.:gt-'r \Va~ n,:_; longer requ.rred. I ~iri'l <.:li.'-.ficd tlut i:.tKh of thc-:;e dcci~;ions wJ.:-: t:1ke-n for ;:en:.ilnc rea!-",0:1:-. ~md :!\~;t !.ih~Y \V'::rt.' unrehtc.d tn any co:npbinh bfiq1 rece1w~d .:1b,Jut ~1rs E;ter-.; ;-md the p1ornotinn \)f !}JC The.kl;-/' a1:d \\·l1hodl :1ny ir.kntlun ro '·get .1 id ()(' (;:1f1.;, ~..:g~·;t:h t\'irs f:<:g;;cr" \VJ.\ in th..:'. unti::irtunate pos;,,iticn of bemg ~urph;\ '.o th<· ('on1J-Ytny':-- re.quin•.n1tTh fur maiug:cment q;:;,ff i :;~:, tUrtfk~r ..;:Ji:~fii?.cl 1_ba! \,fr H:_K'kett c(m.sidt:n.:d :1hcnntivc pthHinnc, :·."\1 i'.~..:,~tT:-. ;J1:d frit;nd none of ihcrn 10 he '-.Ln!Jhie, In ;:.1ddit!cn, hJ'-'Hlf ,,c,~'1i ;1:H_-; hc~1r; \fr:-: Lg~1·1.·~ ir: the witn;/'.'.-'- Dux - and hl\-''ing: t-»een apprised ot ht.:r t",1h1rn:..:-_~.-; JCL:nicn .-1r1d :~a;:.Jg1n1-:rn~ - 1 ,:,.-;.1n ,.Kcq'li !\1r !b.,;ken',~ ~-:vide11<c UJ;H \y; hatj. cnnfidcr!('.e !har rv1r,.,, E.g:gcr:s W(•u\! he z:ble 10 tJiJi~;c ik1 ('i1t;,·~11-.;;1r(--::u1ial .<.,kik; 10 '.~rc~1te ;_t rnlt' for ht...TS\.'.lf \1,,ti,_.h \\/Ou!i:i have en~1!)lcd ib",,; ('; 1:·;:fnny ltJ cun!inue ht·r in t:mpk,yrncm !w.;,,~ed. he (ii:.;cu,.__,;.ed v,:ith her hb pr1:dic.amcnt and invirui fH?r ··10 p:,;:;::.:1c• d preipzhr,.d cutlrnc of tik' wrirk :md rule )l('U wilt be Jbk pednrm ,i-~ ,:urdt ibute t<) Hn' (\\mpany·~. ;ictivit1e;; dc:ring ihe intcrvcnin? pt:riod uf 1:~·.,n•,ICi/iir;n·• i iiir:h,~r Jccept hi~ C\'iderv::e that h~HJ :-:he lx:A.::n :ih!c tn ~,ugg:(•q \(qn,_·, ~-, ·)·./;y v-.bch v,,('uld tuvc c.nahkd the Company i.\j (ift"~c.t !he ,:o,-.;ts of b.~1 <il:iry t!'i~H h,: Wd\J.id have takt:'.n th.al po-;,Jt1on tu 1hc Board :rnd Drgned fer Lt.-r '-'-)ii:inu•'d cn;2:aμ_c;·rn::1L /\1a~:, 1he priJp,1·<iL,;; 1.vhich -she ;u_l\..ranccd clld nol t•;uhi·' !'ii1:1 to du ih!..~: :wd, rn the ci1cLlrn~tance:-,, he wa" ot1hgak:d 10 iinp;;__'.f!'ient !he Bo:ud',-.;, de;.21:,lnn 11, make her ri,;duncbnt !i,J!vr ,;_·,Jnsid,~.ritii'.. the evidence ;_:md ~nhmi:-:,iun" -cf zhc ernp!oyTr ,.vhici; 1 :;ct~tpl [ am --;:1ti:Jled d1Jt there; \\.-':.1:; ;t V:"ihd n.:as.i..m fur the ter;nlgation of t\-1I Egg:.:c;' cmplo:y':rwnt \Vhich wns ba_;,L"d on tik: O~X'L1t1on;.d rt'<:.]Ulre-me:1ts i.."lf the crnp,i_ 1J'Lf \ unden;1kinf., \.'Stab1ishrnl:rn nr senic.;.; t~ee :-;. 2Ql(J ..\ib)(!I! of1he /,2J,~.,:riu' Nl''.!ur.ions .A,·t ] 1;)~i'O ;)nd ~,. :"1 l J of the H1 l)rkr1/ut·t· .K'e!,;t;on-,- fiic en1p!q:,--'c~r has arp.it'cL ;·rnd I accefH, that then:~ \\.,,:1') no _-.;u;.::gt:s11un n--:~n ilk· t<..~:·L1.!n~11iet1 1va--; ir any \l,\i_Y n..~brt:d to i\-t-,~ r:":.t,gr--1:'~· ccmduct, (,.:1p~tcity u:- r,crfc:·;;:Jnu~ 1n fact tht'. ::_•rnployer :~poke in ihe rL(ht rlo1.-1,,:n1g krm\ <:1boul i\·115 r~~~~rT' · a.t-,iiiti:>-. h..1nhf r. i am '-:,Hi'",ll·:d th~:t piior to the d1:-,n-:iss::-d, dthnugh thi;,,; \1,<h not rr.qu i; t~,J tiy th;,:· li:-gisL1~iun. \11 ,; Egg.1.:.~rs V••~l\ jnh)rr:n~J uf rhe i::·mplu:,-.-c:.r'" fHC'1-;i\_·;:nicnr ~Wl'. '.r:Yik.d w s~.:gge~t ahcnnt1'.-'C 101'.::s \vhich .<,he 1ni~~hl 1.)1..."' ubie le perfc,;-;n m ordr:r tn defr;Jy th•~' co~1~ cf her c-ontmuing crHploytnenL f-L:,'.:\:,.:v"t::r a,; 1 h:!'-'\.'. r:.:;ted ab,)vt·, nothmt: \\.·Lich ~;he advanct'd v,,·ould b~t\·l' offs£:'\ !he cosLs becmise the ruie(s,i \;l,,·hich she suggested would have becon1e an O\'t~rhc<1d and a nurnl~:r of the roles \vhich she hope.ti to assurne had b1.'.en t·,;1_\st:d or. to cthe.r empkJ}Cl""•-" finally, aficr considering the niat1er rnost carefully, l have detennined that the emplove.r-- s decisinn t(J r.ern1inate fvirs Egger5'. ,vas not har:-,k unjtht 01 :..tnrca~onab!e \-'t'ithin the rnean!ng of s. 2!) l {2) of the fna'usrria! Re let ions .:.\C! 1990. The ernployer was en~itled le ;nake rhe .::kcision which lt did ro appoint 31s 1\-krsh as the Acting Resort (Jcneral ;'v1::m~:.gcr on 21 Septembe1 :..md ro re---a::,_;.,ign ~he dnti;:.~ o!' various, ~mployees ~1s z~ consequence o:· that :tpporntmcm B:.L~t:d upon their knowledge of the respective :-.ki-d'-, abilities and performance of tv1s i'v1ersh and -~v1rs Egger~, the !\.1;:m:-:ging Directc,r and the Bciard v.iere enLitled to make rhe decision to prefer i\,1:-. ~..1ersh ro fulfil th:r: role. Similarly, tfley Yv'ere t:ntitkd to rnake the :.1sse,;;srnem thaL 1-i:.v;JJf regard re the circumstance wh1ch the Board kmnd ihclf in l.nk-Scpternhcr, !hat iv1r\ Eggers' po;;itinn :-;h(JU!d he macie rcdun;Jant it is unfortunate th:1! I\·hs Eggers' redund:rncy occurred su soon after he;· appointn1c.m to the pc,sition of Property I\ianagcr bur !'ll)ne cif the develop1ner1t.; in rchtioa to the nt~\t comrncn:1,:d vernun.~ couid h~1vc tJccr; t.:n-.·isioncd ;1! the time !hat her appointrucnt \Vas E1ad~. Mrs Egger'.'> ha,.__ effectively, be-en a vkrirn 0f rhe circum'ltances and \Vl!ibt sht· rnight ha\·e her o\.a..'n views -- the- ,,_~n,ployvr described th::,e as paran0i~1 - about the f\'lbons for her terrn.in~Hion the fact remains that ii \vus; soldy because the du1ie~: that she vv11.,;; exp.:.t.~lcd to perforrn were no longer available fr,:- her to dn In tht..x-,t: cin..:un!Stmh.:c~ tht~ ernploycr s ded~.lnn tu t•~nninute her :,;t.~fYH.:e;,;, ',;..:hibr unfortunate, was v;:ilidly n1adc. Au~ordinvly, ha\,ing fr,;1nd lhJt the- termination wa.,; f(n a valid rectsc,n and that rhc tennin;Jtion \.'r·a:-- not harsh. unjusr or unrc.t.'>onable, I J]s1ni~;s the application. The ernp!oyer has a:~ked for co:-:;h in :re;,;pect of J\.,1 ·:-i Eggers' ~1pplic:i1ion if it \-Vas unc:::ucce'.~..,,fuL The gt"neral princi.p\1:>,-; applying to lhe ic,~uc 0f co:-.b ha·.-1-.:: heen canvas:,;cd in a nrnnber of decl;-,JCm~ cf this Crn11rn.i\:-.icm and the prlncipks are ftdly ;,,ct out in Goldman v Dnw GrJ11cral /\ustraiia Ptt' Ltd (l 99] _) ; ,t4 Q(i!G 379. Nothing in t.!1is ca;:,e convincc.s n-,~~ that nL' circurn-.;tan,:es art' ;;;uffioemly outside rhe gc.ne;al principle'- :-,p.:~J1 our lr• !h~n det:l'liur; tkit i should consider the a\v.Jrdin£ of CO'-;!S A :curding:ly. :he emphi_;<er'~: apphcauon for cn;,ts is ahc disfni.::s:~d J dl'\:;rmrne and order accnrding!y. J\h /--\.J_ Tdk1rd, cf /\.J Telford Soiicitors. for tlx· ;..1pp!lc~nt \frs n. Eggs_•h Operatve D~tk. :,;;A Dt.:cisicin Rt•.instaiciric.r.t Rdcascd· 18 April 1997 -- 2 of 2 --