The Court held that a deed of release containing a broad discharge of all employment-related claims (save for 'claims under workers' compensation...law') barred the employee from bringing fresh Fair Work Act proceedings based on the same termination, even though different statutory provisions were relied upon. The Court found that re-litigating settled employment claims constituted an abuse of process. The Federal Court lacks jurisdiction to hear common law negligence claims arising under Queensland workers' compensation legislation, and where Fair Work Act claims are struck out as colourable, the Court will not retain jurisdiction over attached state law claims.
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