APPLICATION FOR GENERAL ORDER - PROVISIONS IN INDUSTRIAL INSTRUMENTS FOR SPECIAL DAYS APPOINTED UNDER SECTION 7 OF THE PUBLIC AND BANK HOLIDAYS ACT 1972 WESTERN AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS COMMISSION PARTIES UnionsWA Incorporated APPLICANT -v- Minister for Industrial Relations, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia (Inc), Australian Resources and Energy Employer Association RESPONDENTS CORAM COMMISSION IN COURT SESSION Chief Commissioner S J Kenner Senior Commissioner R Cosentino Commissioner T B Walkington DATE Thursday, 18 May 2023 FILE NO. CICS 3 OF 2023 CITATION NO. 2023 WAIRC 00276 Result General Order issued Representation Applicant Mr C Fogliani of counsel Respondents Mr R Andretich of counsel on behalf of the Hon. Minister for Industrial Relations No appearance on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia (Inc) No appearance on behalf of Australian Resources and Energy Employer Association General Order HAVING heard Mr C Fogliani of counsel on behalf of UnionsWA Incorporated, Mr R Andretich of counsel on behalf of the Hon. Minister for Industrial Relations, and there being no appearance on behalf of Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia (Inc) or the Australian Resources and Energy Employer Association, the Commission in Court Session, pursuant to the powers conferred on it by section 50 of the Industrial Relations Act 1979 (WA) hereby makes a General Order in the terms set out in the attached Schedule. CHIEF COMMISSIONER S J KENNER FOR AND ON BEHALF OF the COMMISSION IN COURT SESSION SCHEDULE 1.- APPLICATION 1. This General Order applies to each employee as defined in subsection 7(1) of the Industrial Relations Act 1979 (WA) throughout the State of Western Australia. 2. Where an industrial instrument contains a term provided for in this General Order that is more beneficial to an employee, then the more beneficial term shall apply. Otherwise, where there is a conflict between the terms of an industrial instrument and this General Order, the terms of this General Order will prevail. 3. This General Order shall come into effect from the date it is issued and will operate in accordance with its terms unless it is otherwise varied or revoked. 2.- DEFINITIONS 4. In this General Order: a. The term defined public holiday means a day defined or recognised as a public holiday within an industrial instrument. b. The term industrial instrument means an award, an industrial agreement, an enterprise order, and an employer-employee agreement under the Industrial Relations Act 1979 (WA). c. The term special public holiday means any special day appointed by proclamation under section 7 of the Public and Bank Holidays Act 1972 (WA) to be a public holiday. 3.- PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 5. Where an employee is covered by an industrial instrument that provides for a higher rate of pay (for example: overtime, penalty rates, or allowances) for working on a defined public holiday, that higher rate of pay shall also apply to time worked by the employee on any special public holiday.