Introduction
The Federal Court ordered that an administrator reconstitute the UFU QLD branch.
- Members of the UFUQ who joined before 3 September 2018 automatically became members of the UFU Queensland Branch when they joined.
- Any person joining the Branch after 24 February 2022 (the date of the Federal Court Order) shall be placed on the list of members.
Significant Decision
24 February 2022
Federal Court declares UFUA Queensland Branch has ceased to function effectively
Link to decision: https://www.ufua.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/UFUA-v-UFUQ-2022-FCA-145.pdf
In 2020, following numerous attempts on the part of the UFUA to engage with the UFUA Queensland Branch, the United Firefighters Union of Australia (UFUA) filed Applications
to the Federal Court with respect to the UFUA Queensland Branch.
The UFUA Applications, in part, sought orders to appoint an administrator to reconstitute the UFUA Queensland Branch. The UFUA contended that the UFUA Queensland Branch had ceased to function effectively as a result of the disenfranchisement of Branch members. Following a trial, inclusive of cross-examination of witnesses for both sides, Justice Abraham of the Federal Court of Australia handed down her Decision with respect to the Queensland Branch.
In a decision handed down on 24 February 2022, Her Honour declared that the UFUA Queensland Branch has ceased to function effectively.
In addition, Her Honour found:
- That the 4 members that sought declarations under s 167 of the Fair Work (RO) Act have been members of the UFU of A from the date on which they joined.
- That the UFUA Queensland Branch did not establish any proper basis for why the declaration of member should not reflect that the members have been members since joining, and that their membership is continuous.
- That there was no dispute that the UFUA Queensland Branch has ceased to function effectively – it was not functioning at all.
Abraham J made the Orders sought under s 323, reflecting the UFU of A’s proposed scheme for the administration of the UFUA Queensland Branch.
An administrator has now been appointed by the Court and their task is to “resuscitate” the Branch, and to conduct elections which are to be completed by 23 August 2022.
This Federal Court decision is a significant one for the UFUA and all members.
The UFUA strongly encourages members to read the Decision, which can be accessed at this link: https://www.ufua.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/UFUA-v-UFUQ-2022-FCA-145.pdf
Authorised by National Secretary Greg McConville
The facts about United Firefighters Union of Australia (QLD Branch)
QLD Branch Accounts
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View 2019 Financial Report
UFUA QLD Branch Latest News Posts
Queensland Branch Elections
5 December 2022
Nominations are open for the following Queensland Branch Committee of Management (BCOM) positions:
- 1 Branch President*
- 1 Branch Vice-President*
- 1 Branch Secretary*
- 1 Branch Executive Member*
- 3 Branch Executive Members
*election to these positions will also elect the nominee as … Read the rest “Queensland Branch Elections”
Election Notice – UFUA Queensland Branch
28 November 2022
Nominations are now open for all 7 positions on the UFUA Queensland, Branch Committee of Management. Nominations will be open until 1700 on 15 December 2022. For further information, please see the notice of election and nomination forms below.
Election … Read the rest “Election Notice – UFUA Queensland Branch”
Qld Officer and Related Party Disclosure Statements and Financial Statements
14 October 2022
You can view the UFU Queensland Branch Officer and Related Party Disclosure Statements for the 2018-19 and 2019-20 financial years below:
Officer and Related Party Disclosure Statement 2018-19Download
Officer and Related Party Disclosure Statement 2019-20Download
Financial reports for … Read the rest “Qld Officer and Related Party Disclosure Statements and Financial Statements”
Fair Work Commission Decision on Rules and Membership
16 September 2022
| The Fair Work Commission has now clarified who is a member of the UFUA Queensland Branch:“persons who were listed as members of the Branch at 2 September 2018 are deemed to have been properly admitted as members. Their membership |
… Read the rest “Fair Work Commission Decision on Rules and Membership”
UFUA Latest News
UFUA BULLETIN #017
21 December 2022
Members are advised that Regulations adding 8 further cancers to Commonwealth firefighter presumptive laws took effect on 17 December 2022. The new cancers and the relevant qualifying periods can be found in Bulletin #017, available to read by clicking here
UFUA BULLETIN #016
8 December 2022
This year’s National Committee of Management (NCOM) conference had the theme ‘Remembering our past protecting our future’. Consistent with that theme, NCOM were privileged to hear from two life members and founders of the UFUA, Wayne Berry and Rod Knowles. … Read the rest “UFUA BULLETIN #016”
UFUA BULLETIN #015
29 November 2022
Australia is set to lead the world as the Australian Parliament prepares to add eight new cancers to presumptive legislation for firefighters, including for the first time, cancers specifically impacting women. To read more, please click here for UFUA Bulletin … Read the rest “UFUA BULLETIN #015”
UFUA BULLETIN #014
28 November 2022
Videos of three guest speakers from our NCOM conference earlier this month who contributed to a presentation on PFAS have been uploaded here on the National website. To read more, please read Bulletin #014 by clicking here
