Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations, upon notice, on 22 August 2011:

In regard to the answer to question on notice no. EW0077-12 taken on notice during the 2011-12 Budget estimates hearings of the Education Employment and Workplace Relations Legislation Committee, relating to unfair dismissal proceedings:

(1) On how many occasions has the employee been awarded costs against an employer in unfair dismissal proceedings.

(2) Can the figures be provided for awarded costs in relation to adverse action claims, delineating between employees and employers having costs awarded in their favour.

Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The answer to the honourable senator's question is as follows:

(1) In relation to unfair dismissal proceedings, there have been two instances of costs being awarded against an employer.

(2) Fair Work Australia has not issued any orders for costs against either employees or employers in relation to adverse action claims.